Nearly 1.4 million Florida seniors could see a check for $90 this month to help with shopping from an initiative launched by President Donald Trump.
Trump announced on Oct. 2 that over 20 million seniors would receive the one-time payment, intended to help pay for Medicare Part B premiums. It's one of several direct cash payments to Americans that the president has announced just weeks ahead of the midterms as his approval rating has remained at a record low in most polls.
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Medicare Part B covers doctors’ visits, outpatient hospital services, ambulance services, medical equipment, clinical research, and drugs administered by physicians. Monthly premiums are deducted from Social Security benefits but have increased
faster than Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment for three consecutive years and in seven of the last 10 years, according to The Seniors Citizens League.
Here's what to know about the checks, and how to watch for yours.
Who is eligible for the $90 Medicare check?
"Most Medicare Part B enrollees are eligible for the payments," the White House said ina fact sheet. Payments are going to more than 20 million Medicare B enrollees across all 50 states.
An estimated 1,398,000 Florida seniors will receive payments, according to a breakdown from the White House.
If your premiums are already paid by Medicaid or if you pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, you won't see a check.
Do I need to apply for the $90 Medicare check?
No. Payments will be sent automatically if you are eligible.
When will Medicare enrollees get $90 checks?
Most eligible Florida seniors will get the money through direct deposit on or around Oct. 8, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
If you do not have direct deposit set up, you will receive a paper check mailed to the address registered with your Medicare profile.
You can check the status of your check by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
Can I check to see if I'll get a Trump Medicare check?
If you're not sure if you're eligible, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask.
Where is the Medicare check money coming from?
The Trump administration is diverting money from the $2 billion Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress created in 2008 to improve Medicare services.
Trump called the fund a "pointless 'Slush Fund'" in a Truth Social post announcing the checks. The White House said the improvement fund has never been utilized.
Are Trump Medicare checks the same as Trump refund checks?
No. This is a separate payment from the $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks that Trump previously announced, saying Americans were overcharged for Affordable Care Act fees.
It is also unrelated to the $5,000 payments Trump promised every American would get if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate after the November election, something critics have called an outright bribe for votes and constitutionally questionable.
Trump has previously promised $2,000 tariff dividend checks, and last year was reportedly considering $5,000 refund checks from money DOGE said it saved through cuts in the federal government. Neither payment happened.
Melina Khan and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Why some Florida Social Security recipients received $90
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