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You have a giveback plan. Now what?

Your giveback plan helps you save money, but it might take a while before that starts to happen. Let’s look at how a giveback works and what you can expect.

The short version

  • Everyone with Medicare, including Devoted Health members like you, has a Medicare Part B premium
  • Your giveback plan helps you save money by lowering that premium
  • You don’t get paid the giveback amount — you just pay less for Medicare Part B
  • Once your Devoted Health giveback plan starts, Medicare will tell Social Security to lower your Part B premium
  • Social Security may take up to 4 months to lower your premium and there’s no way to speed up the process
  • While you wait, you HAVE to keep paying your full Part B premium (unless Medicaid pays it for you) so you don’t lose your Medicare benefits
  • If Medicaid does pay your Part B premium, you may not qualify for the giveback

The detailed version

You always have a Medicare Part B premium.
You pay it monthly to Medicare for Part B coverage for things like doctor visits and preventive care.

You have 2 options for paying your Part B premium.
Either Medicare bills you and you pay them directly OR you have it taken out of your monthly Social Security check. If you get a Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) check instead of Social Security, you can have it taken from your RRB check. 

Your giveback plan lowers your Part B premium.
See the Pre-Enrollment Checklist in your plan’s Summary of Benefits for your “Part B buydown.” That’s the amount that Social Security will lower your Part B premium by. 

Your giveback plan does NOT pay your Part B premium. 
We tell Medicare as soon as your giveback plan starts. Medicare then tells Social Security to update your records and lower your Part B premium. 

It can take up to 4 MONTHS before you see a lower Part B premium.
It could happen within the first month, but it often takes longer. You’ll know when it has kicked in because you’ll either see a lower bill from Medicare or Social Security will start taking less out of your check for your Part B premium. We know the wait can be frustrating, but it’s out of your hands and ours. 

You HAVE to keep paying your full Part B premium until your giveback kicks in.
This can seem unfair, but it’s very important. If you don’t pay your Part B premium while you’re waiting for the giveback to kick in, you could lose your Medicare benefits. If Medicaid pays your Part B premium, this doesn’t apply to you.

Once your giveback kicks in, you’ll get credit for any missing months.
Say it takes 2 months to kick in. If Medicare bills you for your Part B premium, you’ll see a 2-month credit on your first bill with the giveback. If you pay through Social Security, the amount they take for your Part B premium will be offset by 2 months worth of your giveback amount.

Common questions

I haven’t gotten my giveback yet. What do I do? 
Call us at 1-800-338-6833 (TTY 711) or text us at 866-85. We’ll make sure that Social Security has everything they need from us to process your giveback. Remember, it can take up to 4 months before your giveback kicks in.

It’s been 4 months and I’m still not getting the giveback. What do I do? 
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8am to 7pm local time, Monday through Friday. We know this can be frustrating, but there’s no way to speed up the process. 

What’s the best time to call Social Security? 
Wait times are usually shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. 

It’s been over 4 months and I feel completely stuck. Can Devoted help me? 
Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do. Once we report that your giveback plan has started, the process is out of our hands. Your best option is to schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office. 

The only way to schedule an appointment is to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8am to 7pm local time, Monday through Friday.

To find the address, phone number, office hours, or directions to your local Social Security office, use their office locator.

How can I check if the giveback amount in my Social Security check is correct?
First, look at the Pre-Enrollment Checklist in your plan’s Summary of Benefits for your “Part B buydown.” That’s your giveback amount.

Then, check your Social Security account online to see if they have it right. If you’ve never logged in to Social Security online, review this guide on how to create an account. 

You could also call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8am to 7pm local time, Monday through Friday. 

What if I have Medicaid?
With Medicaid, your state usually pays your Part B premium. You may not get a giveback because you’re not the one paying the premium. To check if Medicaid pays your Part B premium, contact your state’s Medicaid office. If you have any concerns, call us at 1-800-338-6833 (TTY 711).  

Is my Devoted Health giveback plan a supplemental plan?
No, it’s a Medicare Advantage plan that provides your Medicare coverage.

I have other coverage in addition to my giveback plan. Is that ok? 
If you have other coverage from the VA, TRICARE, or another plan that works along with Medicare, that’s totally fine. You’ll still get your giveback benefit and you can still use your other coverage.