Some Medicare Advantage plans lower the amount you pay for Medicare Part B each month. People usually call this the "Part B giveback." Medicare's official name for it is a Part B premium reduction. Below we explain how it works, where you see the savings, and how to tell whether a giveback plan is a good deal for you.
What the Part B giveback is
Everyone with Part B owes a monthly premium. The standard amount in 2026 is $202.90, and people with higher incomes pay more. Medicare Advantage (Part C) companies are allowed to use part of the money they receive from Medicare to cut that premium for their members.
- It is a benefit of certain Medicare Advantage plans. Original Medicare, Medigap and stand-alone Part D plans do not offer it.
- The amount is set by each plan for the calendar year. It can be a few dimes or a large share of the premium, and it is always a multiple of 10 cents.
- The reduction can never be more than the standard Part B premium, so it will not push your premium below $0 or turn into a cash payment.
- If you owe a Part B late enrollment penalty, the penalty is still figured on the standard premium.
How the savings show up
Your plan does not mail you a check. Instead, the amount you owe for Part B goes down:
- If Part B comes out of your Social Security benefit: Social Security deducts a smaller premium, so your monthly deposit goes up by the giveback amount. The same applies to Railroad Retirement and federal retirement (OPM) benefits.
- If Medicare bills you directly: your Medicare premium bill is lower.
After you join a giveback plan, it can take a little while for the change to reach your Social Security payment or Medicare bill. If you do not see it after a couple of months, call the plan's member services line and ask them to confirm the reduction was sent to Medicare.
Who can get it
You generally need to:
- Have both Medicare Part A and Part B, and keep paying your Part B premium.
- Live in the service area of a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a Part B premium reduction.
- Enroll in that plan during a valid enrollment period.
If your state pays your Part B premium (for example through Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program), the reduction is applied to the premium the state pays, not to your check. In that case a giveback plan usually puts no extra money in your pocket, and other plan features matter more.
Giveback plans are not offered in every county, and the amounts change from year to year.
Not the same as the one-time $90 rebate
In October 2026, CMS sent a one-time $90 Part B rebate to certain people in Original Medicare. That payment is a separate program. Medicare Advantage members were not eligible for it, and it has nothing to do with the plan-based giveback described here.
How to find a plan with a giveback
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder. Open a plan's details and check the premium section for a Part B premium reduction.
- Compare plans in your ZIP code with our Medicare Advantage comparison tool.
- Ask one of our licensed agents to pull every giveback plan in your county and line them up side by side.
When you can switch
| Enrollment period | Dates | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Open Enrollment | October 15 to December 7 | Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or drug plan. Changes start January 1. |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | January 1 to March 31 | If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch to another one or go back to Original Medicare once. |
Special Enrollment Periods can also apply after events like moving or losing other coverage.
Is a giveback plan worth it?
A lower Part B premium is real money, but it is only one piece of what you pay over a year. Before you switch, check:
- Doctors and hospitals: are yours in the plan's network? Many giveback plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited networks.
- Prescriptions: some giveback plans do not include Part D drug coverage. If you take medications, make sure your drugs are covered and priced well.
- Copays and the out-of-pocket maximum: a plan that saves you money on premiums can cost more when you use care.
- Extra benefits: dental, vision and hearing coverage vary widely from plan to plan.
- Medigap: if you leave a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you may not be able to get that Medigap coverage back later without health questions.
Add up the premium savings and your likely copays and drug costs for the year. If the total is lower and your doctors are in network, the giveback plan may be a good fit.
Talk to an agent
Our licensed agents can compare giveback plans in your area at no cost to you.
Questions? Submit a ticket or call us at (312) 726-6565.
Sources: Medicare.gov, Medicare costs; 42 CFR 408.21, Part B premium reduction; 42 CFR 422.266, use of plan rebates; CMS, Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate FAQ; Medicare.gov, joining a plan; Medicare Plan Finder.
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