How do I appeal a Medicare IRMAA surcharge?
If your income dropped because of a life-changing event, you can ask Social Security to use a more recent year.
Why you might be charged too much
Medicare sets your premium from your tax return two years back. If you were still working then but have since retired, your current income may be far lower than the income Medicare is using.
Events that can qualify
- Retirement or other work stoppage
- Work reduction
- Marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse
- Loss of income-producing property
- Loss of pension income
- A settlement payment from an employer or former employer
Not every drop in income counts. Social Security generally does not accept a capital gain from selling property, a lottery or casino win, an IRA conversion, or cashing in bonds as a reason, and the event must have lowered income in the tax year you ask Social Security to use. Selling property voluntarily does not count as losing income-producing property.
How to ask
- Fill out form SSA-44, the life-changing event request.
- Attach proof, such as a letter from your employer showing your last day of work or a divorce decree.
- Send it to Social Security by mail, fax, or in person at your local office.
Social Security will estimate your income for the new year and may lower or remove the surcharge. You may need to confirm your income again later.
If the data itself was wrong
If Social Security used incorrect or outdated tax information, you can ask for a new initial determination instead and attach the correct tax return. The notice you receive explains how long you have to ask, so act promptly when it arrives.
Check which tier you are in → · What is IRMAA? →
Sources: SSA: Medicare premiums; Form SSA-44; SSA: request to lower IRMAA.