If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premium will get deducted from your benefit payment.
If you're a Civil Service retiree and NOT entitled to Social Security:
Your premiums will be deducted from your Civil Service annuity. If this isn't happening, send an email to opmmailbox@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you have limited income and resources:
Your state may help you pay for Part A, and/or Part B. You may also qualify for Extra Help to pay for your Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Will I get a bill for my Part A or Part B premiums?
If you sign up for Part B and you don't get Social Security, RRB, or Civil Service benefits, you'll get a bill called a “Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due” (CMS-500).
If you buy Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) or you owe Part D income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA), you'll always get a “Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due”(CMS-500) each month for your premium.
Learn more about the "Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due."
There are 4 ways to pay your Medicare bill:
1. Pay directly from your bank account through your bank's online bill payment service. Contact your bank or go to their website to set up this service.
2. Sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, a free service that automatically deducts your premium payments from your savings or checking account each month. We'll deduct your premium from your bank account, usually on the 20th of the month.
3. Pay by check or money order. Mail your Medicare payment coupon and payment to:
Medicare Premium Collection Center
P.O. Box 790355
St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
P.O. Box 790355
St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
4. Pay by credit card or debit card. Complete the bottom portion of the payment coupon on your Medicare bill, and sign it. You'll need to provide the account information as it appears on your card and the expiration date. Most credit cards today only have the month and year in expiration date field. If your credit card only has a month and year in the expiration date, fill in the month and year on the payment coupon and leave the day field blank. Mail your payment to the address above.
Note
If you get your bill from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the payments options explained on this page don't apply to your situation. You or your bank must mail your premium payments to:
RRB, Medicare Premium Payments
P.O. Box 979024
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
P.O. Box 979024
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
Pay attention to the type of payment notice you get
If the box in the upper right corner says |
It means |
Do this |
|---|---|---|
| This is not a bill | Your premium payment will be automatically deducted from your bank account each month. | You don’t need to do anything. |
| First Notice | This is your very first bill, or you’ve paid your last bill in full. | Send in a payment for the total amount shown by the 25th (Medicare premiums are due by the 25th of the month). For example, if the billing notice date on the First Notice is January 27th, send in payment by February 25th. |
| Second Notice | Medicare didn’t get payment by the due date shown on the First Notice (25th of the month). | Send in a payment for the total amount shown by the 25th of the month. For example, if the billing notice date on the Second Notice is February 27th, send in payment by March 25th. |
| Delinquent Notice | Medicare didn’t get the payment by the due date shown on the Second Notice (25th of the month). | Send in a payment for the total amount shown by the 25th of the month so that you don’t lose your Medicare coverage. For example, if the billing notice date on the Delinquent Notice is March 27th, send in payment by April 25th. This is the last notice you’ll get. |
What if my premium payment is late?
If your premium is late, you'll get a Second Notice reminding you to pay your premium. If you don’t pay the premium by the due date for the Second Notice, you'll get a Delinquent Notice. If you get a Delinquent Notice and you don’t pay your premium by the 25th of the month, you’ll lose your Medicare coverage.
What do I do if I have questions about my bill or the status of my coverage?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).