What the $144 payment is and who receives it

The $144 payment is a one-time deposit that Medicare sends to people who have both Medicare Part A and Part B coverage but have not yet started receiving Social Security benefits. It is not a refund or a rebate — it is a payment meant to help cover the cost of your Part B premiums while you wait to claim Social Security.

This payment goes to people in a specific situation: you turned 65, enrolled in Medicare, and chose to delay your Social Security claim. Medicare sends the $144 once, usually in the month after you first become may have access to to Part B coverage. The amount does not change based on your income, location, or how long you have delayed Social Security.

Not everyone gets this payment. You must meet all the conditions listed below. If you do not meet them, you will not receive it, and there is no separate form to request it or appeal if you are turned down.

Key Takeaways

  • The $144 payment is a one-time Medicare deposit sent to people with Part A and Part B who have not yet claimed Social Security.
  • You must be at least 65 years old, have both Part A and Part B active, and have delayed your Social Security claim to receive it.
  • Medicare sends the payment automatically in the month after you become may have access to to Part B — you do not need to request it.
  • The payment is deposited to the same bank account or address where Medicare normally sends your payments.
  • If you claimed Social Security before enrolling in Medicare Part B, you will not receive this payment.

The exact conditions you must meet

To receive the $144 payment, all of the following must be true on the date you become may have access to to Part B:

You must be at least 65 years old. You must have both Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) active. You must not be receiving Social Security retirement benefits, survivor benefits, or disability benefits at the time you enroll in Part B. You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for at least five years.

The timing matters. If you turned 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B, but you had already started collecting Social Security before that enrollment date, you do not meet the condition. The payment is only for people who delayed Social Security specifically to avoid the earnings test or to increase their future benefit amount.

When Medicare sends the payment and where it goes

Medicare sends the $144 in the month after you become may have access to to Part B coverage. "may have access to" means the month Medicare approves your Part B enrollment, not the month you applied. If you enrolled in Part B in March, you would typically receive the payment in April.

The payment is deposited to whichever account Medicare has on file for you. If you receive Social Security payments by direct deposit, Medicare will use that same bank account. If you receive a paper check from Social Security, Medicare will mail you a paper check for the $144. You do not choose the method — Medicare uses whatever method is already set up for your other payments.

The payment will show up on your Medicare Summary Notice (the document Medicare mails to you each year) and in your online Medicare account if you have created one at Medicare.gov. You can also call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm whether the payment was sent.

What happens if you claimed Social Security before enrolling in Part B

If you were already receiving Social Security benefits when you enrolled in Medicare Part B, you do not receive the $144 payment. This is true even if you delayed Social Security for years before finally claiming it. The rule is based on your status at the moment you become may have access to to Part B, not on your lifetime choices about when to claim.

For example: if you turned 65 and delayed Social Security, but then claimed it at age 68 and enrolled in Medicare Part B at the same time, you would not receive the payment because you were receiving Social Security when you enrolled in Part B.

There is no exception to this rule and no way to request the payment if you do not meet the condition. Once your Part B enrollment is processed, the decision is final.

How the $144 relates to your Part B premiums

The $144 is a one-time payment, not a monthly credit. Your Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security check each month once you claim benefits. The $144 does not reduce your future premiums — it is a single deposit meant to help bridge the gap between when you enrolled in Part B and when you start receiving Social Security.

Your Part B premium amount depends on your income and changes each year. In 2024, the standard Part B premium is $164.90 per month, but higher-income beneficiaries pay more. The $144 one-time payment covers less than one month of the standard premium, so it is a partial help rather than a full solution.

If you have already been paying Part B premiums out of pocket while waiting for Social Security, the $144 does not reimburse those past payments. It is only a forward-looking deposit sent once you are enrolled.

What to do if you think you should have received the payment but did not

First, check your Medicare Summary Notice and your bank or mail records to confirm the payment was not sent. The payment is small enough that it can be straightforward to miss, especially if it was deposited to a bank account you do not check often.

If you are certain you did not receive it and you believe you meet all the conditions, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Have your Medicare number ready. Explain that you enrolled in Part B without having claimed Social Security, and ask whether the $144 payment was processed. Medicare can tell you whether the payment was sent and, if so, when and to which account.

If Medicare confirms the payment was sent but you cannot locate it, ask them to investigate the bank deposit or mail delivery. If Medicare confirms you do not meet the conditions for the payment, ask them to explain which condition you did not meet. Write down the date of the call and the name of the representative so you have a record.

How this payment fits into your overall Medicare costs

The $144 is one small piece of your Medicare expenses. You also pay Part B premiums (monthly), Part A deductibles (per hospital stay), and copayments for doctor visits and services. Some people also buy Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans, which have their own costs.

If you are trying to understand your total Medicare costs while you wait for Social Security to start, look at your Medicare Summary Notice and your plan documents. The $144 payment helps, but it is not meant to cover all your out-of-pocket costs. Many people use savings, part-time work, or family support to bridge the gap between age 65 and when they claim Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the $144 payment if I am already on Social Security?

No. The payment is only for people who have not yet claimed Social Security when they enroll in Part B. If you are already receiving any type of Social Security benefit — retirement, survivor, or disability — you do not receive the $144 payment. There is no exception and no way to request it after the fact.

What if I claimed Social Security years after turning 65?

If you enrolled in Medicare Part B before you claimed Social Security, you should have received the $144 payment in the month after your Part B enrollment. The payment is based on your status when you enrolled in Part B, not on when you eventually claimed Social Security. Contact Medicare to confirm whether it was sent.

Is the $144 taxable income?

The $144 payment is not considered taxable income by the IRS. You do not report it on your tax return. It is a one-time Medicare payment, not a benefit that counts toward your income for tax purposes or for means-tested programs.

Can I use the $144 to pay for something other than Medicare premiums?

The $144 is deposited to your account with no restrictions on how you use it. Once it is in your bank account or mailed to you, it is yours to spend as you choose. Medicare does not track how you spend the money.

What if I enrolled in Part B but turned down Part A?

You must have both Part A and Part B active to receive the $144 payment. If you enrolled in Part B but declined Part A, you do not meet the conditions and will not receive the payment. Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A when they turn 65, but if you actively refused it, you are not may be able to access for the $144.