The promised 90-dollar deposits by the Trump administration to Medicare beneficiaries started arriving this Wednesday, but millions of seniors will be excluded from the payment, including many Cuban and Hispanic retirees from South Florida.
President Donald Trump announced the measure on Saturday, October 4, via Truth Social. The funds come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a fund established by Congress in 2008 to enhance the fee-for-service Medicare program, and the measure was widely circulated since the initial announcement.
Who receives the 90 dollars?
Approximately 20.8 million people enrolled in Original Medicare, also known as traditional Medicare, under Part B, are eligible, provided they reside in the United States, do not pay the high-income surcharge (IRMAA), and do not receive Medicaid assistance for their premiums.
There is no need to complete any paperwork: the payment is automatically deposited into the bank account or sent to the postal address registered with Medicare.
When will the money arrive?
Most beneficiaries will receive the direct deposit processed by the Social Security Administration around Thursday, October 8. Some users have reported on social media seeing the deposit as pending since Tuesday.
Those without a linked bank account will receive a paper check from the Department of the Treasury later in October, indicating: "Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium."
Experts warn that these checks could go unnoticed during the peak Medicare open enrollment season, when mailboxes are typically filled with correspondence from insurance companies.
Why many Cubans in South Florida will not receive payment
This is a particularly relevant point for the Cuban community in South Florida: those enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) are exempt from payment.
In Miami-Dade, about 78% of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in that type of plan in 2022, a proportion significantly higher than the national average.
Although that percentage corresponds to the overall beneficiaries in the county and not specifically to Cubans, the high penetration of Medicare Advantage in the area means that many retirees in the Cuban community could be excluded from payment.
Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private insurers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare, or Aetna, have been widely embraced by Hispanics in South Florida for including, among other services, Spanish-speaking doctors, dental, vision, and hearing benefits, as well as low or zero premiums in certain plans.
In total, out of the 62.9 million beneficiaries of Part B nationwide, about 40 million will not receive the payment. Also excluded are those who pay the IRMAA surcharge, those receiving Medicaid assistance for their premiums, and those residing outside the United States.
How can I find out what plan I have?
Many beneficiaries may be confused because they still hold the red, white, and blue Medicare card even when enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
One way to identify it is to have not only the Medicare card but also a card from the corresponding private insurance provider. Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage will not receive the $90.
To confirm the type of coverage, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
To inquire about the status of an expected payment, the Social Security Administration will handle calls at 1-800-772-1213 starting October 15.
Does the increase in costs justify itself?
Experts point out that the one-time payment does not cover the actual increase in expenses.
The standard premium for Part B rose $17.90 per month in 2026, increasing from $185 to $202.90, which represents an annual increase of more than $214, over double the one-time payment of $90.
Juliette Cubanski, vice president of the Medicare Policy Program at KFF, explained to CBS News that "those who pay the income-adjusted premium have higher starting incomes, so they are considered to be better able to absorb the costs and would not benefit as much from the $90 as lower-income individuals."
Alert: beware of scams
No one from Medicare will call to ask for bank details, Social Security numbers, or payment of a fee to "release" money. Any call of that nature should be considered suspicious.
The southern part of Florida has a documented history of Medicare frauds that have cost millions of dollars, with recent cases in Miami-Dade.
In the event of any suspicious call, it is recommended to hang up and contact Medicare directly through their official number.
The Medicare open enrollment period begins on October 15 and extends until December 7.
The plan changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, so this period may be an opportunity to review whether the current coverage remains the most suitable for each beneficiary.
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