Still can’t get a straight answer on this! And very frustrated. Millions of people take Medicare benefits and delay SS benefits. This is not some kind of personal dilemma. I paid Medicare quarterly in advance. My SS benefits started mid-quarter. How do I get a refund? Particularly since SS benefits started mid month (Bday) and not on the cycle of Medicare coverage on the 1st thru 30th e.g. quarter paid for Aug 1 — Oct 31st. Do they refund? Is it prorated the Bday (let’s say on the 5th or the 26th, etc). Please respond!!!!!!

Hi. When Social Security withholds Medicare premiums for months that have already been paid out of pocket they normally refund the duplicate premiums within 60 days. However, many people have reported not receiving timely refunds, so I assume the refunds are currently taking longer possibly due to COVID related backlogs. In any case, such refunds are supposed to be automatic, so you shouldn't need to do anything to get your refund. If your duplicate premiums aren't refunded in what you consider to be a reasonable amount of time you'll need to call Social Security to try to resolve the issue.

Just to clarify, though, although Social Security benefits are paid a month behind, Medicare premiums withheld from benefits cover the person's premium for the month in which the benefit is paid. For example, say that a person starts their Social Security benefits effective with August. Their benefit payment for August would then be paid in September. However, the Medicare premium withheld from that payment would cover the person's premium for September, not August.

Medicare monthly premiums are not prorated because Medicare coverage isn't prorated. If a person reaches age 65 in August and if they apply for Medicare timely, their Medicare coverage starts on August 1st even if they don't turn 65 until August 31st. As a result, they must pay a full month's premium for their coverage.

Best, Jerry