I got a $90 deposit from Medicare. What is it, and who qualifies?

It is a one-time $90 rebate on the Medicare Part B premium, paid in October 2026 from the Medicare Improvement Fund. You don’t need to do anything to get it; Social Security sends it by direct deposit, or the U.S. Treasury mails a check. It went to people in Original Medicare Part B who live in the United States, do not get help from Medicaid with their premium, and do not pay the income-related surcharge (IRMAA). People in Medicare Advantage plans aren’t eligible.

Most people got it by direct deposit from Social Security on or around October 8. People without direct deposit on file were to get a paper check from the U.S. Treasury later in October 2026, mailed to the address Medicare has on file and labeled “Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium.” CMS said an email or a letter about the payment would follow in mid-October 2026; Medicare.gov shows a sample of the letter.

If you think you qualified and nothing arrived, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check whether you are eligible. Social Security takes payment-status calls at 1-800-772-1213 (from October 15, 2026).

Scam calls about the payment are the thing to watch for: you do not have to give anyone your Medicare number or bank account to get it. Medicare.gov says Medicare will never call to sell you anything, and will only call asking for personal information in limited situations, such as returning a call you made. If you get an unexpected call about the payment, do not give out your Medicare number or bank details; report it to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or online through the HHS Office of Inspector General’s fraud-reporting form, which Medicare.gov links to.