Medicare Part B Giveback: How to Get Money Back on Your Social Security (2026)

The Medicare Part B "giveback" is a benefit offered by some Medicare Advantage plans that pays back part or all of your monthly Part B premium. Because your Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) is normally deducted from your Social Security check, a giveback plan means less is taken out, so your monthly Social Security payment goes up. It is also called a Part B premium reduction. It is real, but it is not automatic and not everyone qualifies. Here is how it works.

What is the Part B giveback?

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a giveback, the plan agrees to cover a set dollar amount of your Part B premium. Medicare then deducts that much less from your Social Security check (or bills you less if you pay directly). The money is not a check or a gift card. It simply reduces what you pay for Part B.

The "get $144 back" and "$78 a month back" figures you see in ads are just the giveback amounts on specific plans. The actual amount is set by the plan and varies by company and location.

How much can you get back?

The giveback can range from a few dollars a month up to the full standard Part B premium of $202.90/month. That is the cap. No plan can give back more than the standard Part B premium.

• A small giveback might be $25 to $50 a month.
• Many advertised plans give back somewhere between $50 and $125 a month.
• A few plans give back the entire premium, so $0 is deducted for Part B.

Who qualifies for the Part B giveback?

To get the giveback, you must:

• Be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B (and keep paying, or having deducted, your Part B premium).
• Live in an area where a giveback plan is offered. Availability is by county, so a plan with a giveback in one ZIP code may not exist in the next.
• Enroll in that specific Medicare Advantage plan during a valid enrollment period.

You do not need to be low-income, and it is not tied to a Medicare Savings Program (though if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, that also lowers or eliminates your Part B premium a different way).

Which plans and carriers offer it?

Giveback plans are offered by major carriers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare (including AARP plans), Aetna, and others, but only on certain plans in certain areas. The only way to know what is available to you is to check the plans in your county. You can compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area or call and we will check for you.

The trade-offs to watch

A giveback is a genuine benefit, but do not choose a plan on the giveback alone. A plan with a large giveback might have a narrower provider network, different drug coverage, or higher copays than another plan. Weigh the whole plan, not just the premium reduction. For a fuller picture of what you pay, see our 2026 Medicare costs breakdown.

Common questions about the Part B giveback

What is the Medicare give back program?

It is not a government program. It is a benefit on some Medicare Advantage plans that reduces your monthly Part B premium, so less is deducted from your Social Security check.

Does everyone with a Humana giveback plan get $78?

No. The giveback amount depends on the specific plan and your location. Some Humana plans give back $78 a month, others give a different amount, and many areas do not have a Humana giveback plan at all.

What ZIP codes have the give back program?

It varies county by county. There is no national list because plan availability changes by area and by year. Check the plans offered in your ZIP code, or call a licensed advocate to look it up for you.

How do I get the $144 back on my Social Security?

The "$144 back" refers to plans that reduce your Part B premium by about that amount. You get it by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan in your area that offers that giveback, during a valid enrollment period.

Is the Part B giveback the same as a flex card?

No. The giveback lowers your Part B premium. A flex card is a prepaid allowance some plans give for things like groceries or over-the-counter items. Some plans offer both.

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Want to know if a Part B giveback plan is available where you live, and whether it is actually a good fit? A licensed Medicare Advocate will check the plans in your area and walk you through the trade-offs, at no cost. Give us a call.