I thought I signed up for both Part A and B when I got my Social Security, but now I'm getting bills for Part B. Did I miss something during the enrollment period?

Question

Steven Bleicher · Accepted Answer

Yup. If you don't speak to an experienced and honest agent, you won't know what your monthly payments will be. For example, there is a premium for the Part B, for the Part B one-time per year deductible, possibly a Medigap plan along with a Part D(rug) plan. If you want better coverage for the more expensive Dental, Vision & Hearing procedures, that can also be an extra cost per month. Sounds like you tried to get around using an agent whereas YOU are not paying for the agent's commission since the firm you chose pay the agents!

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Couple things come to mind. 1) what age did you sign up for Part A and B?
2) If you’re drawing social security you shouldn’t be getting a bill for Part B, they would deduct it from your social security check.  3) if you had insurance at work when you signed up for Part B, you can tell them you had creditable coverage and therefore no penalty.  

You need to call social security and ask them why your getting billed to clear this up.

Norman Smith · Answer

Part A is a no-charge based on your 40 quarters of working in your adult life, where you paid taxes into it. Part B is currently $185 per year, which amount could change, up or down, when 2026 arrives.

Answered by Norman Smith on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & PA

Answered by Norman Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

Part B has a deductible each year (increases a little each year-2025 is $257) and a 20% co-pay WITHOUT a maximum out of pocket! Have you looked into either a Medicare Supplement/Medigap OR Medicare Advantage Plan that can help with the Part B "out of pocket costs"?

Answered by Tony Capraro III on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in NH & ME

Answered by Tony Capraro III Medicare Insurance Agent

William Gray · Answer

If you are getting bills for part B it means you are not taking social security benefits. 

Medicare will bill you quarterly if they cannot deduct it from social security payments.

Part B is $186 a month in 2025.

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

Yes. You must have missed the cost of Part B. If you are receiving benefits it is automatically deducted. If not, billed quarterly.

Jonathan Potter · Answer

If you are currently getting Social Security and you are being billed for part B for the Medicare, I would call Social Security and make sure that they are deducting that part B premium out of your Social Security check. That normally should be happening.

Answered by Jonathan Potter on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in UT, AZ, CA & 14 other states

Answered by Jonathan Potter Medicare Insurance Agent

Jason Hark, CMIS™ · Answer

Great question! Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is usually free because most people or their spouses paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years.

Medicare Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care, and other services) isn’t free because it covers things that aren’t paid for by those taxes. So, everyone who has Part B pays a monthly premium to help cover those costs. We explain it as a forever tax, unless your income is below a certain threshold.

Kim Kirsch · Answer

Part B always has a monthly premium unless you signed up for an MAPD plan that pays part or all of that premium for you. These plans are not available in every zip code, so it's important to engage with a broker who cares and will guide you to the right decision.

Answered by Kim Kirsch on May 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Kim Kirsch Medicare Insurance Agent

James ONeal · Answer

Here's why:

Automatic Enrollment:
If you were already receiving Social Security benefits at least 4 months before turning 65, you would have been automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A and Part B. However, those in Puerto Rico are only automatically enrolled in Part A. 

Part B is Not Always Automatic:
Even if you were automatically enrolled in Part A, you may have needed to actively enroll in Part B separately, or you may have chosen to decline Part B coverage initially. 

Late Enrollment Penalty:
If you didn't enroll in Part B when you were first eligible and are now enrolling, you might be subject to a late enrollment penalty. This penalty is an increase to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

Part A is usually covered by the years you paid into the system and fo most people has o premium.  PART B has a premium that is based on your prior two years of income. There are circumstances where you may receive assistance, such as Medicaid whereby the State would pay your PART B premium.

Both PART A AND PART B are required to obtain Health Care Plans.

Christopher Garcia · Answer

Medicare part B has a monthly premium of $185 a month. If you’re collecting Social Security benefits, you can have this withheld directly from your Social Security check on a monthly basis. If you’re being billed for Medicare part B you are typically billed for three months at a time. The bill you receive will state the amount you owe as well as the period you are being billed for. you can contact them directly using the number on your bill if you have questions. I hope this information helps.

Answered by Christopher Garcia on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NM, AZ, CO & TX

Answered by Christopher Garcia Medicare Insurance Agent

Kathy Adams · Answer

No, Part A is covered at no cost if you, over the life of working have 40 quarters is the equation the government uses. Part B is what costs... $185 per month. You will have an opportunity this Fall from October 15th to December 7th to enroll in Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplemental Plan) any questions feel free to give me a call @ 701-729-6290

Answered by Kathy Adams on May 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV & ND

Answered by Kathy Adams Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

It's likely you were automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you started receiving Social Security benefits, but you may not be aware of the Part B premium payment process. If you're receiving Social Security benefits, your Part B premium is usually deducted automatically from your benefit check. If you're not receiving Social Security, you'll receive a bill. You may be getting bills for Part B because you're either not receiving Social Security benefits yet, or because your Part B premium isn't being deducted from your benefits for another reason (e.g., you recently started receiving benefits). 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Automatic Enrollment:
When you start receiving Social Security retirement benefits (usually around age 65), you're automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. 
Premium Deductions:
If your Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security check, you may not realize you're being billed for it. 
Billing Without Social Security:
If you're not yet receiving Social Security benefits, or if your benefits don't cover the full cost of your Part B premium, you'll receive a bill. 
Late Enrollment Penalty:
If you didn't enroll in Part B when you were first eligible, you might be paying a late enrollment penalty. 
Special Enrollment Period:
You might be able to avoid penalties if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to continued employment and health coverage through an employer.

Carol Thompson · Answer

You could be getting billed for your Part B premium. This premium amount can vary each year and it depends on the plan you are on.

David Christian · Answer

Hello this is a common question. If you are getting billed for Part B it's because you did everything correctly. Everyone has a Medicare Part B premium. You will either pay that premium directly or through your Social Security check.

Answered by David Christian on May 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA & TX

Answered by David Christian Medicare Insurance Agent

Jerry Cohen · Answer

Nothing was missed in signing up for Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Part A has no premium because it was paid for from income earned during the workin g life of the insured. In the case of Medicare Part B, no seperate premium was paid for during a person's working life which means that in retirement there is a payment to be made.

Answered by Jerry Cohen on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY

Answered by Jerry Cohen Medicare Insurance Agent

Mel Stevens · Answer

Often when you sign up for Social Security people also sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B at the same time. If you sign up for Social Security at Age 66, then you more than likely were issued part A already once you turned age 65. In this situation it appears that more than likely you signed up. A card showing your effective date should have been sent in the mail and as we know, sometimes items get lost in the mail system. Contact Medicare as soon as possible to inquire about the status. There are various options. You could either stop down at the local office, call at: (800) 633-4227 or contact on-line at - https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only . It's very important to inquire about your effective date because you only have a 60-day window to sign up for Part D or a prescription drug plan once your Part B becomes effective. If you fail to sign up within that window of time, Medicare can and will penalize you for the rest of your life.

Answered by Mel Stevens on April 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Charles Borg · Answer

There is no charge for part A, but part B does have a premium. It’s usually taken out of your Social Security payment. Maybe you should contact the Social Security office and try to get things straightened out.

Answered by Charles Borg on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & NY

Answered by Charles Borg Medicare Insurance Agent

Kerwyn Jones · Answer

Yes, because signing up for Part B initiates your Medicare Part B premium. It's $185 monthly for 2025. It changes every year.

Josh Vojtush · Answer

Whether you get Part B automatically due to having Social Security prior to 65, or you take Part B after 65, it has a base premium of $185 per month in 2025. That number can go up or down, depending on income, assets, penalties, programs chosen, and more. A knowledgeable broker is an invaluable resource to clear everything up.

Answered by Josh Vojtush on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL, IL & MI, NC, SC & VA

Answered by Josh Vojtush Medicare Insurance Agent

I thought I signed up for both Part A and B when I got my Social Security, but now I'm getting bills for Part B. Did I miss something during the enrollment period?

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I thought I signed up for both Part A and B when I got my Social Security, but now I'm getting bills for Part B. Did I miss something during the enrollment period?

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