Computer Glitches Causing Havoc for Medicare Beneficiaries
By: Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: 2006-10-20 11:13:00.624431-04:00
Computer glitches are causing havoc for beneficiaries whose Part D premiums are not being deducted correctly from their Social Security checks. This is just the latest in a series of problems related to Medicare billing. Some beneficiaries are having too much money deducted, while others are not having enough deducted — or no deductions at all. In some cases, payments are going to the wrong drug plan.
It is not clear how many people have been affected. It is estimated that well over 300,000 people will be impacted. Government officials say that they are working to resolve the problem, but AARP is still hearing from our state offices that problems persist.
Helpful Tips
- Check your bank records to make sure the correct amount of your premium is being withdrawn.
- Call your prescription drug plan to make sure your coverage continues and to confirm that your plan has the correct information it needs to make the correct deductions.
- Consider whether switching to direct payment, in which you mail a check to your plan each month rather than have the premium deducted from your Social Security check, would work for you.
For further assistance call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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