White House: $90 Medicare Checks Headed to Over 20 Million Seniors, California Leads With 1.52 Million
President Trump announced late on October 2 that the federal government will send a one-time $90 payment to more than 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B to help offset their monthly premiums. The White House said most eligible seniors will receive the money by direct deposit in early October; those without direct deposit will get a paper check mailed to the address they have on file with Medicare.
The money comes from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress funded with $2 billion in 2008. The White House says no administration has ever drawn on the fund, which Trump called a pointless “slush fund,” and says this is the first time it is being used to directly lower seniors' costs. Seniors whose premiums are paid by Medicaid and higher-income enrollees who pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) are not eligible, and health-policy experts note that roughly half of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans may also be excluded.
By state, more than 1.52 million Californians will receive the checks, the most of any state, followed by Texas (1.43 million) and Florida (1.40 million). The standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026 is $202.90 a month, and seniors can call 1-800-MEDICARE to check their eligibility.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Openverse · agilemktg1（Public Domain）
