How the Hold Harmless Provision Protects Your Benefits
Social Security works together with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to make sure you won’t have a reduction in your Social Security benefits as a result of Medicare Part B premium increases.
A special rule called the “hold harmless provision” protects your Social Security benefit payment from decreasing due to an increase in the Medicare Part B premium. The Part B base premium for 2021 is $148.50, which is $3.90 higher than the 2020 base premium.
Most people with Medicare will pay the new premium amount because the increase in their benefit amount will cover the increase. However, a small number of people will see little or no increase in their Part B premium — and their Social Security benefit checks will remain the same — because the amount of their cost-of-living adjustment isn’t large enough to cover the increase.
To qualify for the hold harmless provision, you must:
- Receive Social Security benefits or be entitled to Social Security benefits for November and December of the current year.
- Have your Medicare Part B premiums for December and January deducted from your monthly benefits.
There are exceptions:
The hold harmless provision does NOT apply to you if:
- You enroll in Part B for the first time in 2021.
- You pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount premium.
- You are dually eligible for Medicaid and have your premium paid by a state Medicaid agency.
You can learn more by visiting Medicare.
Tags: Medicare
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Sonia Reid Grern
I’m lost don’t understand this clause . Please explain in law man’s terms . Thank you
Vonda
Hi Sonia, thanks for using our blog. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security cost-of-living increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. The Social Security Act contains a “hold harmless” provision that protects most beneficiaries. The amount of the benefit will stay the same even though the Medicare Part B premium increases.
Nora Weber
Part B premium went up. Monthly benefit went down. Why?
songo.intl@gmail.com
Because I reside overseas, I found that I was paying a monthly premium for part A medicare insurance that I as ineligible for so I cancelled coverage. I understand there is no mechanism for part A, coverage abroad…I have to pay for those things myself here, but I have never understood why overseas beneficiaries like myself can’t be reimbursed for things like Doctors’ visits, dental, etc. Also, does “safe harbor” provision apply to me?
Vonda
Hi there. Thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, or the covered services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.
Frank
This article fails to mention the increase amount in the deductible for Medicare B. Prices increase with little transparency. If you cannot be honestly accurate then don’t write about it.
Peter Lewis
Frank just so I know,,,, and I am new to this….what was the deductible for Part B in 2019 and what is the projected deductible going to be for 2020 and 2021? Thanks again for being concise with your statement.
Vonda
Hi Peter, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, or the covered services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.
Melvina M. Turner
My husband receives disability benefits. They were reduced due to my income several years back. However, my income has now reduced significantly. What do I do to get his benefits increased to what they were?
Sue
Thank you for reading our blog, Melvina. Based on your question, it appears that your husband receives disability benefits under our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Your income would affect your husband’s monthly SSI benefit, but not his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We ask that members of our Blog community work with your local Social Security office to resolve this situation. You’ll find the phone number in our Social Security Office Locator. Unless you are your husband’s representative payee, your husband should make the call. Our call volume and wait times are longer than normal, so please be patient. We hope this information helps.