President Donald Trump is continuing to do more to make life affordable for the most vulnerable Americans, especially the elderly, many of whom are on fixed incomes.
Trump on Friday announced that more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries will receive one-time $90 payments this month to help offset the cost of their Medicare Part B premiums.
The payments will be distributed automatically to approximately 20.8 million eligible Americans enrolled in Original Medicare Part B, according to the White House and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Most recipients will receive the money through direct deposit around Oct. 8, while beneficiaries without direct deposit will receive paper checks from the Treasury Department later in October.
No application is required.
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“I am pleased to announce that my Administration will, immediately, begin sending ‘Checks’ of nearly $100 to over 20 MILLION wonderful Seniors to help pay for their Medicare Part B premiums,” Trump wrote Friday night.
The money will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a fund Congress established in 2008 to finance improvements to Medicare’s fee-for-service program. Congress has allocated approximately $2 billion to the fund for the payments.
Trump criticized the fund’s previous use and said his administration was redirecting the money directly to Medicare beneficiaries.
“We are finally using this Fund, along with my Most Favored Nations Deals, to substantially LOWER costs for our Seniors,” Trump said.
The administration says this is the first time money from the Medicare Improvement Fund has been distributed directly to beneficiaries as a premium rebate.
Congress has previously shifted money into and out of the fund as part of broader health care and budget legislation.
Not every Medicare beneficiary will qualify. CMS says the payment will go to people enrolled in Original Medicare Part B who live in the United States, do not receive Medicaid assistance paying their premiums and do not pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA.
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People enrolled in Medicare Advantage are also ineligible.
That distinction significantly narrows the pool of recipients. Medicare covers more than 60 million Americans overall, while CMS estimates that 20.8 million meet the requirements for the $90 rebate.
For qualifying beneficiaries, the payment will cover a portion of one month’s Part B premium.
The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026, meaning the $90 rebate amounts to roughly 44% of a standard monthly premium. Part B generally covers physician services, outpatient care, certain home health services, medical equipment and other services not covered under Medicare Part A.
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The government is calling the payment the “Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate.”
The majority of recipients will receive the money through the same direct-deposit system used by the Social Security Administration.
CMS says those payments are expected “on or around October 8th.”
Recipients should subsequently receive an email or letter from Trump in mid-October explaining the payment.
People who do not use direct deposit will instead receive a $90 Treasury check later this month carrying the notation: “Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.”
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Beneficiaries do not need to register, provide banking information or pay a fee to receive the money.
Those uncertain about their eligibility can contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Questions about whether a payment has been issued can also be directed to the Social Security Administration, according to CMS.
The announcement comes roughly a month before the Nov. 3 midterm elections and follows several other Trump administration proposals or initiatives involving direct payments.
The Treasury Department recently began issuing $500 payments to more than 950,000 people in 30 states as part of a separate Affordable Care Act refund initiative.
Trump has also promoted a proposed $5,000 “Trump Dividend” for American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress after the midterms. That proposal is separate from the Medicare rebate and has not been enacted into law.
Trump emphasized that distinction in announcing the Medicare payments, saying the $90 checks would have no effect on the proposed $5,000 payments.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
