Millions of seniors are slated to receive $90 government-funded checks in the coming days through an initiative launched by President Donald Trump.
Many Medicare B enrollees across all 50 states are set
to receive the one-time payments at some point early this month, the White House announced on Oct. 2.
The checks, which are being paid for from a fund that was earmarked by Congress in 2008, are intended to help eligible Medicare enrollees pay for Part B premiums.
Trump announced the rebate as affordability and high costs are top of mind for many midterm voters. The president has turned to sending cash directly to Americans with just weeks to go until the election and partisan control of Congress at stake.
On Sept. 30, his administration started sending $500 checks to nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states who it said were overcharged by fees through the Affordable Care Act's federal exchange for buying health insurance.
Trump has also vowed to distribute $5,000 dividend payments to all American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress through midterms ‒ an offer that critics have slammed as a bribe for votes.
Here's what to know about the $90 checks.
Who's getting $90 Medicare checks?
The $90 payments are headed to more than 20 million Medicare B enrollees spanning all 50 states, with the most populated states receiving the most checks, according to a White House breakdown of the payments reviewed by USA TODAY.
Individuals whose health care premiums are already paid by Medicaid or who pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount do not qualify for the $90, the White House said.
Seniors who want to check on their eligibility for the rebate can call 1-800-633-4227.
Below is a state-by-state breakdown detailing where Trump's $90 checks for seniors are going, according to the White House:
When will Medicare enrollees get $90 checks?
The majority of eligible seniors will receive their payment via direct deposit from the Social Security Administration on or around Oct. 8, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Those without direct deposit will receive a paper check at the address they have registered with Medicare later in October. The check will be from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and labeled "Medicare Improvement Fund Payment; $90 Payment to Offset October Premium," per CMS.
To check on payment status, eligible beneficiaries can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
How are $90 checks being funded?
To fund the payments, 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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why many Medicare enrollees are getting $90 checks
