Why didn't I get the $90 Medicare Part B rebate? (QMB, QI and Medicaid)

CMS says the rebate goes to the 20.8 million Americans in Original Medicare Part B who:

• live in the United States,
• are not receiving premium assistance from Medicaid, and
• do not pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), the extra Part B charge for higher incomes.

CMS also says people enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible. It is one payment of $90, in October 2026. It is not a monthly payment.

In New York, the Medicare Savings Program (QMB and QI) is run by Medicaid. When you have it, or full Medicaid with Medicare, the state pays your Part B premium for you. That is the "premium assistance from Medicaid" CMS lists as a reason someone does not get the $90.

Not getting the $90 does not mean anything is wrong with your Medicare Savings Program or your Medicaid. If the state still pays your premium, check your Social Security statement: no Part B premium should be taken out.

• Direct deposit: CMS says most people get $90 by direct deposit from Social Security on or around October 8, 2026.
• Paper check: people without direct deposit get a $90 check from the U.S. Department of the Treasury later in October, mailed to the address Medicare has on file. CMS says the check carries the message "Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium."
• Follow-up notice: CMS says an email or letter follows in mid-October.

1. To ask about eligibility for the $90, CMS says to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
2. To check whether a payment was sent, CMS says to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 beginning October 15, 2026.
3. If your MSP or Medicaid started or ended recently, for example because of the October 1, 2026 immigration-status change, ask 1-800-MEDICARE how your case is counted. CMS has not published a rule for those in-between cases.

Nobody needs to charge you a fee to get this money. If a caller offers to "release" your $90 and asks for your Medicare number or bank details, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.

Getting the $90 means you pay your own Part B premium. In 2026 that standard premium is $202.90 a month, or $2,434.80 a year. The Medicare Savings Program pays that premium every month, which is worth far more than one $90 payment.

New York's 2026 MSP income limits are $1,836 a month for one person ($2,489 for a couple) for QMB, and $2,474 ($3,355 for a couple) for QI. New York first subtracts $20 from your monthly income and has no resource (savings) test. Since October 1, 2026, immigration status is also a limit. An approved MSP also brings Extra Help with drug costs.

If your income is near those numbers, it is worth checking. Our MSP screener takes about two minutes, and the how to apply guide walks through the form. The QMB vs QI guide explains the two levels.

I have QMB. Why didn't I get the $90?

CMS says the $90 goes only to people in Original Medicare Part B who are not receiving premium assistance from Medicaid. In New York, QMB is a Medicaid program that already pays your Part B premium every month, so you are not in the group that gets the rebate.

Is the $90 rebate paid every month?

No. CMS says eligible people get one $90 rebate in October 2026. Most get it by direct deposit on or around October 8. Some get a Treasury check later in October.

I have a Medicare Advantage plan or a D-SNP. Do I get the $90?

No. CMS says people enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible. A D-SNP is a type of Medicare Advantage plan. Since the payment is one time in October 2026, changing plans during Open Enrollment would not bring it back.

Who do I call about the $90?

For eligibility, CMS says to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For payment status, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 starting October 15, 2026.

I got the $90. Should I look at the Medicare Savings Program?

If your income is close to New York's 2026 MSP limits ($2,474 a month for one person or $3,355 for a couple at the QI level, after a $20 disregard), yes. MSP pays the full $202.90 Part B premium every month. New York has no savings test for MSP.