IRMAA stands for "Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount." It's a surcharge that some Medicare beneficiaries may have to pay in addition to their regular Medicare premiums. The amount of IRMAA you owe depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years ago. If your income exceeds a certain threshold, you may be subject to IRMAA.
If you believe that your IRMAA determination is incorrect, you can file a dispute with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Here are the general steps to file an IRMAA dispute:
Review the IRMAA notice: When you receive an IRMAA notice from Medicare, carefully review it to ensure that the income information used for your determination is accurate.
Gather supporting documentation: Collect any evidence that supports your claim that your income has decreased since the two-year lookback period used for IRMAA calculations. This might include tax returns, W-2 forms, or statements of income changes.
Contact the SSA: Contact the Social Security Administration to initiate the dispute process. You can do this by calling their toll-free number or visiting your local SSA office.
Complete the appropriate forms: The SSA will provide you with the necessary forms to dispute your IRMAA determination. You'll need to provide detailed information about your income changes and the reasons for the dispute.
Submit your documentation: Include all supporting documents and the completed forms when you submit your dispute to the SSA.
Await a response: The SSA will review your dispute and the documentation you provided. They will notify you of their decision in writing.
Appeal if necessary: If your dispute is denied and you still believe the determination is incorrect, you have the right to appeal. Follow the instructions in the SSA's denial letter to begin the appeal process.
Keep in mind that IRMAA determinations are based on specific income thresholds, so any changes in your income may affect your IRMAA status for the following year. It's essential to stay informed about these changes and to act promptly if you believe a dispute is necessary.