What Is the Medicare Give Back Program?
Explore the Medicare Give Back Program: learn how certain Medicare Advantage plans can reduce your Part B premium.
The Medicare give-back program, also known as the Medicare Part B premium reduction benefit, is a feature offered by certain Medicare Advantage plans. This benefit can help eligible individuals reduce their monthly healthcare expenses. Understanding this program is important for Medicare beneficiaries seeking to optimize their coverage and manage costs.
Understanding the Medicare Part B Premium Give-Back Benefit
The Medicare give-back benefit involves certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans paying a portion or all of a beneficiary’s Medicare Part B premium. This is not a direct payment from the government or traditional Medicare, but rather a financial incentive provided by private insurance companies.
The premium reduction is typically applied directly, reducing the amount withheld from a beneficiary’s Social Security payment. If a person does not receive Social Security benefits, their Part B premium will simply be lower.
Private insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans receive a “bid” amount from Medicare for each enrolled member. If the cost of providing care for an enrollee is less than this bid amount, the private insurance company can use the difference, known as a rebate, to fund additional services or benefits. This rebate can then be used to reduce the enrollee’s Part B premium.
The amount of the give-back benefit varies by plan, location, and insurance provider, ranging from a few cents to the full Part B premium, which is $185 per month in 2025. While a full premium give-back is rare, many plans offer reductions.
Eligibility for the Give-Back Benefit
To qualify for a Medicare give-back benefit, an individual must meet requirements.
Beneficiaries must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Enrollment in Original Medicare is a prerequisite for joining any Medicare Advantage plan.
Additionally, individuals must live within the service area of a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this particular benefit.
Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this benefit is necessary. Not all Medicare Advantage plans include this feature, and its availability depends on the plans offered in a beneficiary’s geographic area.
Beneficiaries must also be personally responsible for paying their Part B premiums. Individuals who receive assistance with their Part B premiums through programs like Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program may not be eligible for the give-back benefit, as their premium is already covered by another source.
Finding Plans with Give-Back Benefits
A primary resource is the Medicare.gov Plan Finder tool. Beneficiaries can input their zip code into this online tool to view available plans in their area. When reviewing plan details, individuals should look for language indicating a “Part B Premium Reduction” or similar phrasing within the plan’s Summary of Benefits.
Directly contacting insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans in a specific area can also provide information on give-back benefits. Many insurers can detail which of their plans include this feature and the amount of the reduction.
Consulting with licensed insurance agents specializing in Medicare is another practical step. These agents often have access to information from multiple carriers and can assist in comparing various plans to identify those with give-back benefits that align with individual needs.
Enrollment in such plans typically occurs during designated periods, such as the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31.