The Medicare Rights Center has developed a new downloadable guide providing free information to help people with Medicare and those who assist them with their finances understand the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) and how to request that it be lowered if there is disagreement with their Social Security Administration’s IRMAA decision.

The Medicare Rights Center, a national nonprofit consumer service organization, is the largest and most reliable independent source of Medicare information and assistance in the United States.

IRMAA is the additional amount that people with Medicare must pay for Medicare Part B premiums and/or Part D premiums when their annual incomes are above a certain amount. In 2017, individuals and couples are required to pay an additional Medicare Part B and/or D premium when their annual incomes are above $85,001 and $170,001, respectively. The rate they pay is based on four different annual income levels.

“How to Appeal a Higher Part B or Part D Premium,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free guide, provides information on the following:

• What is IRMAA?
• How is IRMAA determined?
• How do you request a “new initial determination” for IRMAA?
• What are the situations that qualify to be life-changing events by the Social Security Administration?
• How do you appeal an IRMAA decision?

Ayo Mseka
Editor-in-Chief