Where can I make a Medicare payment?

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You can pay your bills online through your Medicare Account by selecting "Pay my premium".

Online Payment Options

  • Secure Medicare Account: Log in to Medicare to pay using a credit card, debit card, HSA card, or bank account. This links securely through Pay.gov.
  • Medicare Easy Pay: Set up free automatic monthly deductions from your checking or savings account. Sign up online through your account or by mailing Form SF-5510.
  • Through Your Bank: Use your bank's online bill payment service to schedule one-time or recurring payments.

Other Ways to Pay

  • By Mail: Send a check, money order, or card payment with your bill's payment coupon to the Medicare Premium Collection Center in St. Louis, MO.
  • Social Security: If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, your Part B premium can be automatically deducted from your monthly check.

How do I send a bill to Medicare for payment?

You can send a bill or request reimbursement for medical care by completing and mailing the Patient's Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S) along with your itemized bill to your state's Medicare Administrative Contractor.

Steps to Submit a Claim

  • Get the form: Download and print the CMS-1490S form or pick one up at a local Social Security office.
  • Gather an itemized bill: Make sure the bill from your doctor or supplier shows the date of service, place of service, description of each item or treatment, and the specific charges.
  • Write an explanation letter: Include a short letter explaining why you are filing the claim yourself (for example, if the doctor refused or is not enrolled in Medicare).
  • Mail the documents: Send copies of the completed form, your itemized bill, and supporting letters to your state's assigned Medicare contractor. Note: Medicare does not accept online claim submissions from patients.
  • Time limit: You must file the claim within 12 months (1 year) of the date you received the service.

What is the grace period for Medicare payment for seniors?

The grace period for Medicare premium payments depends on whether you have Original Medicare or a private plan like Medicare Advantage or Part D.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

  • Duration: There is a 90-day (3-month) grace period for manually billed Part B premiums.
  • Details: If you do not have your premiums automatically deducted from Social Security and miss a direct bill, you have up to 90 days from the due date to pay the balance before your coverage is terminated.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Prescription Plans

  • Duration: Private plans must provide a grace period of at least 2 calendar months (some plans may offer longer).
  • Details: The plan must send a written notice of non-payment. If you do not pay the past-due amount by the end of the two-month grace period, you will be disenrolled from the plan.

Can Medicare payments be made online?

Yes, you can pay your Medicare premium online through your Secure Medicare Account if you receive a direct "Medicare Premium Bill".

Online Payment Options

  • One-Time Payments: Log into your Medicare Account, select "Pay my premium," and use a credit card, debit card, Health Savings Account (HSA) card, or a checking/savings account. You will use the U.S. Treasury's secure Pay.gov service via the portal.
  • Medicare Easy Pay: Sign up for this free service inside your Medicare Account to have your monthly premiums automatically deducted from your checking or savings account.
  • Bank Online Bill Pay: Log into your personal bank’s website and set up CMS Medicare Insurance as a bill payee using your Medicare number.

Note: You cannot use the online Medicare portal to pay if your bill comes directly from the Railroad Retirement Board.

Can I pay my Medicare bill by phone?

You cannot pay an official Original Medicare bill directly by phone using an automated system or credit card, but you can call Medicare Support at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for billing questions.

Official Medicare Payment Options

  • Online: Make a one-time payment with a credit card, debit card, or bank account through your secure Medicare Account.
  • Automatic Deduction: Set up Medicare Easy Pay to automatically deduct your monthly premium from a checking or savings account.
  • Mail: Send a check or money order along with the payment coupon from your bill to the address listed on your statement.
  • Social Security: Have your premiums automatically deducted from your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management benefit check.

Note: If you have a private Medicare plan—such as a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)—you must contact your private insurance company directly, as many private providers do accept payments by phone.

How To Pay Your Medicare Part B Premium

9 related questions found

Why am I paying $700 a month for Medicare?

You are likely paying close to $700 a month because of an income-based surcharge called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) added to your Social Security Administration Benefits Planner.

Why the Cost is High

  • The IRMAA Surcharge: While the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $202.90, higher earners must pay an extra surcharge. If your total monthly cost reaches nearly $700, your past income has pushed you into a higher IRMAA bracket.
  • Look-Back Period: Medicare determines IRMAA using your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior. A high-income tax return from two years ago dictates your current monthly bill.
  • Combined Parts: This total often includes surcharges for both Part B (outpatient care) and Part D (prescription drug coverage).
  • Automatic Deduction: This amount is typically taken directly out of your monthly Social Security check or billed quarterly if you are not yet collecting benefits.

What You Can Do

  • Check for Life-Changing Events: If you experienced a major income drop due to a life-changing event (such as marriage, divorce, or work reduction), you can appeal to have your surcharge lowered.
  • Review Details: You can check specific rules and thresholds directly through AARP's Medicare Guide or contact Social Security.

Where do I mail Medicare payments?

Mail your standard Medicare premium payments to the Medicare Premium Collection Center at PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.

Standard Medicare Payments (CMS)

  • Payee Name: CMS Medicare Insurance
  • Mailing Address:
    Medicare Premium Collection Center
    PO Box 790355
    St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
  • Important: Include your payment coupon or write your 11-character Medicare Number on your check or money order.

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Payments

If you get your premium bill from the Railroad Retirement Board, mail your payment to a different address:

  • Mailing Address:
    RRB, Medicare Premium Payments
    P.O. Box 979024
    St. Louis, MO 63197-9000

What are the common mistakes in Medicare billing?

Common mistakes in Medicare billing include incorrect patient or insurance data, coding errors like upcoding, and duplicate charges.

Top Medicare Billing Errors

  • Incorrect Patient/Policy Details: Typos in a patient's name, birth date, or errors using the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) or outdated numbers like the HICN.
  • Coding Errors (Upcoding or Downcoding): Using wrong CPT or HCPCS procedure codes, or exaggerating the level of service provided.
  • Duplicate Billing: Submitting a claim or charging twice for the exact same service or item.
  • Lack of Medical Necessity Documentation: Failing to provide clear medical records or notes that prove a test or treatment meets Medicare coverage rules.
  • Primary Payer Confusion: Sending a claim to Medicare first when the patient has another active primary insurance, such as group health coverage.
  • Unrendered Services: Accidentally billing for procedures, tests, or visits that the patient never received.
  • Missed Deadlines: Missing strict submission or appeal timeframes set by Medicare.

What address should I use for Medicare?

You should use your permanent residential address (where you actually live for at least half the year) for Medicare.

Why Your Address Matters

  • Plan Availability: Your physical location determines which Medicare Advantage (Part C), Prescription Drug (Part D), or Medigap plans you can buy.
  • Cost Changes: Medigap prices can vary based on your specific zip code.
  • No Permanent Home: If you do not have a fixed home, you can use a post office box, a shelter, a clinic, or the address where you regularly receive mail.

How to Update Your Address

Medicare shares records with the Social Security Administration (SSA), so you must update your address through them:

  • Online: Log into your my Social Security account.
  • Phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
  • In Person: Visit your local Social Security office.

What happens if you pay your Medicare payment late?

Missing or making a late payment on your Medicare bill means your next bill will include the past-due amount.

Grace Periods and Notices

  • Past Due Notice: If you miss a payment, you will get a notice showing what you owe.
  • Grace Period: Medicare generally gives you a grace period of up to 2 to 3 months (or 90 days for standard Part B) to catch up on missed premium payments.
  • Written Warning: Your plan will send a written notice telling you when your grace period ends and when your coverage might stop.

Risk of Losing Coverage

  • Disenrollment: If you do not pay what you owe by the end of the grace period, you will lose your coverage.
  • Re-enrollment limits: If you get kicked off a plan for not paying, you may have to pay all past-due balances before you can rejoin or sign up for a new plan. You might also have to wait for the next open enrollment period.