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What is the "Part B Giveback"?

A simple explanation in plain words. It takes about 3 minutes to read.

1. The short answer

Most people with Medicare pay a bill every month for Part B. Part B helps pay for things like doctor visits. This monthly bill is called a "premium."[4]

In 2026, the Part B bill for most people is $202.90 a month.[4] This amount can change each year.

Some Medicare Advantage plans will pay part of that bill for you.[1] (Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare plans from private insurance companies.[2]) People call this a "Part B giveback." Medicare's official name for it is a "Part B premium reduction."[1]

💡 Think of it like a coupon for your Part B bill.

2. An easy example

Say your Part B bill is $202.90 a month.

You join a Medicare Advantage plan with a $50 giveback.

Now you pay only $152.90 for Part B.

You keep the $50. That's $600 a year!

$202.90$50.00$152.90

3. How do I get the money?

You won't get a check in the mail.[8] Instead:

  • If your Part B bill comes out of your Social Security check, Social Security takes out less. So your Social Security check gets bigger.[5][8]
  • If Medicare sends you a bill, your bill gets smaller.[8]

4. How long does it take?

  • It can take a few months to start. Your plan tells Medicare, and Medicare tells Social Security. Social Security makes the change when it hears from Medicare.[5][8]
  • Keep paying your full Part B bill until the giveback starts.[8]
  • Don't worry. You get credit for the months you missed.[8]

5. Who can get it?

You can get a giveback if all of these are true:

  • You have Medicare Part A and Part B.[2]
  • You join a Medicare Advantage plan that has a giveback.[1]
  • You live in the area where that plan is sold. Not every county has one.[1][2]
  • You pay your own Part B bill.[8]
If Medicaid or your state already pays your Part B bill, you usually can't get the giveback.[6][8]

6. How much can I get back?

It depends on the plan. In 2026:

  • About 1 out of 3 Medicare Advantage plans had a giveback.[7]
  • Some plans gave back $10 or less a month. Others gave back more than $100 a month.[7]
  • A few plans pay the whole Part B bill.[8]
  • Plans can change their giveback every year.[1]

7. Things to watch out for

A giveback is nice. But it is only one part of a plan. Before you pick a plan, check:

  • Are my doctors in the plan's network?[1]
  • Are my medicines covered, and what will they cost?
  • What are the copays for doctor visits and hospital stays?
  • What is the most I could pay in one year?[1]

A plan with a big giveback might cost you more in other ways, like higher drug costs. Add it all up.[9]

Also:

  • Givebacks only come with Medicare Advantage plans. You can't get one with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan.[3][8]
  • Some TV ads make it sound like everyone gets money back. That's not true. It depends on where you live and which plan you pick.[1][9]

8. Want to know if there's a giveback plan where you live?

Charles can check your ZIP code, your doctors, and your medicines for you. It's free to talk.

Call (888) 840-5814Compare plansBook an appointment

You can also search plans yourself on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Know someone who asked about the giveback? Send them this page.

Sources — where this information came from

Last checked: October 2026

  1. Medicare.gov — Understanding health plan costs — https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans/costs
  2. Medicare.gov — Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans (official booklet) — https://www.medicare.gov/publications/12026-understanding-medicare-advantage-plans.pdf
  3. Medicare.gov — Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage — https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
  4. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles — https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
  5. Social Security Administration — Social Security Handbook §127: How are Medicare premiums paid? — https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.01/handbook-0127.html
  6. Medicare.gov — Medicare & You (official handbook) — https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10050-medicare-and-you.pdf
  7. KFF — Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits — https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-2026-spotlight-a-first-look-at-plan-premiums-and-benefits/
  8. Humana (an insurance company) — Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit explained — https://www.humana.com/medicare/medicare-resources/part-b-giveback-benefit
  9. MedicareResources.org — How the Medicare Part B giveback might save you money — https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eligibility-and-enrollment/how-the-medicare-part-b-giveback-might-save-you-money/