Do you know that the income-related monthly adjustment amounts or IRMAA affect approximately 7% and 8% of Medicare Part B and Part D beneficiaries, respectively?
This is according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). And you could be among the 7% or 8%, especially if you have a higher income.
However, you have a right to appeal if you think your IRMAA is too high or that the federal government made an error.
This process is also called requesting for a reconsideration.
It’s a complex and tedious process that involves filling out forms, communicating with authorities, and providing supporting documents, among other things, just to prove that your current income is lower and you don’t deserve to pay an IRMAA.
But you don’t have to complete all this challenging process alone. We can help. Florida Healthcare Insurance is an established player in the insurance field.
We understand all the intricacies of the Medicare system, including IRMAA, and will help you explore options to minimize or eliminate these extra charges.
You can get in touch with us to discuss how we can help you appeal your Medicare charges. But first, let’s help you understand what these extra charges are, who they affect, how they impact Medicare beneficiaries, and how to appeal.
What is IRMAA?
As stated above, IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.
Basically, it’s a surcharge for higher-income beneficiaries that’s added to the standard premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D. Remember, the monthly premium you pay for Medicaid coverage is based on your annual income.
The more you earn, the higher premiums you’ll likely pay.
The Social Security Administration determines the IRMAA each year. This body also sets the income thresholds used to determine whether or not to pay IRMAA.
IRMAA was introduced as a provision to the Medicare Modernization Act in 2003 to boost the financial stability of Medicare for future beneficiaries.
However, IRMAA doesn’t affect all Medicaid beneficiaries. In fact, it only affects less than 5% of Medicare beneficiaries. It’s only applicable to those with a higher income exceeding the set threshold.
For instance, in 2023, IRMAA doesn’t apply to those earning below $97,000 for individual returns and $194,000 for a joint return.
Impact of IRMAA on Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare Part B covers medical services, including outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Medicare Part D, on the other hand, offers coverage for prescription drugs.
IRMAA can impact your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income exceeds the predetermined amount.
The annual Medicare IRMAA is determined based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior. If your MAGI on your IRS tax return for two years is above the set threshold, you’ll need to pay an IRMAA in addition to your standard monthly Part B premium.
The standard monthly premium for Part B was $170.10 in 2022. However, IRMAA thresholds and additional charges change annually based on your income. Medicare beneficiaries are grouped into income brackets.
Your additional amount will, therefore, vary depending on your income bracket.
The additional charges on your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums might come as a surprise. Sometimes, it might be due to life-changing events, including;
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- Higher income in retirement years: Mostly due to retirement account distributions, pensions, investments, or other sources.
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- Part-time work or consulting: Self-employment activities that generate substantial income can push your MAGI over the IRMAA thresholds.
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- Real Estate Transactions: Capital gains from selling a house or real estate can temporarily hike your income, pushing your income over the IRMAA thresholds.
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- Spousal income: If you’re married and file a joint tax return, your incomes are combined to determine IRMAA. The combined MAGI could cross the income thresholds if you both have substantial incomes.
Remember, IRMAA calculations are based on your income from two years ago. So, if you’re facing additional charges due to circumstances that have since changed, you can appeal. You’ll need evidence of a life-changing event for the appeal to be considered.
You can consult Florida Healthcare Insurance to better understand your situation or appeal the charges.
How to Appeal IRMAA Charges
Just because you were once a high-income earner or sold real estate (increasing your income) doesn’t mean you should continue paying higher premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D.
You can challenge your IRMAA charges.
However, you must understand that it’s a process and can sometimes be complex and frustrating. But if you have a substantial claim and follow the proper steps, you could get your IRMAA charges reduced, if not eliminated.
Want to appeal your IRMAA charges? Here’s how it goes.
To formally appeal your IRMAA charges, you must complete a “Request for Reconsideration” form (Form SSA-561-U2). You can get the appeal form from a nearby Social Security office or download it from the Social Security Website.
The form will give you three options on how to appeal. The easiest and most common will be a case review. Remember, documentation is crucial for an appeal. Therefore, you must write a detailed cover letter explaining why you believe you’re being overcharged. You also need to back up your claims with relevant evidence. The documents you need will depend on your situation. Typically, they might include;
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- Federal income tax returns
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- Death certificate
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- Marriage certificate
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- Decree of divorce or marriage annulment
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- Copies of pay stubs
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- Letter or statement indicating a loss or reduction of a pension
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- Statement from an insurance adjuster indicating loss of an income-generating property
Once you’ve completed the appeal form and attached supporting documents, you should send it to the address specified in the IRMAA notice or on the form itself. You can submit it in person at your local Social Security office or mail it. Ensure you keep a copy of the appeal form and the supporting documents.
The SSA will review your appeal and notify you of their decision. If your appeal is approved, your IRMAA charges will be reduced or dropped. If it’s denied, the SSA will explain the reasons for the decision as well as offer alternatives for appeal.
The appeal process can, however, be complex. Think of the documentation, the technical language, and deadline issues. This is why it might be the best choice to consult with a professional like Florida Healthcare Insurance.
Florida Healthcare Insurance—Your Guide to Appealing IRMAA
Need a quick way to get through the appeal process without dealing with all the challenges and complexities?
You certainly don’t have to. You can trust us to complete the appeal process on your behalf.
Florida Healthcare Insurance is a top-rated health insurance agency in Florida. Our agency specializes in handling Medicare coverage and IRMAA appeals. We offer expert guidance throughout the entire process to help ease the appeal process.
Here’s why you should let us handle your appeal process;
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- Expert Knowledge: Our team is well-versed in all the complexities of Medicare regulations and appeal procedures. We use our expertise to mount a compelling appeal that will, most likely, have your IRMAA charges reduced or eliminated.
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- Personalized Assessment: Although the appeal process might be standard, everyone has a unique situation. Therefore, we will review your specific situation to determine whether you have a valid case for appealing your IRMAA charges.
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- Documentation Guidance: Your evidence and documentation significantly affect the outcome of your appeal. Therefore, we work with you to ensure you have the right type of evidence to demonstrate how your income has been affected by a qualifying event.
Need Help Appealing Your IRMAA Charges?
IRMAA charges can come as a surprise mainly because they are calculated based on your MAGI from two years ago. The good thing is that you can appeal to have these additional charges reduced or eliminated.
However, the appeal process can be complex, tedious, and frustrating. The good news is that we can help you ease the entire process.
You can contact Florida Healthcare Insurance to help you appeal your IRMAA charges.
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