How do I Request a New IRMAA Determination?

 If Social Security determines that you should pay an IRMAA, they will mail you a notice called an initial determination. This notice should include information on how to request a new initial determination. A new initial determination is a revised decision that Social Security makes regarding your IRMAA. You can request that Social Security revisit its decision if you have experienced a life-changing event that caused an income decrease, or it you think the income information Social Security used to determine your IRMAA was incorrect or outdated.

 Social Security considers any of the following situations to be life-changing events:

•  The death of a spouse.
•  Marriage.
• Divorce or annulment.
•  You or your spouse stopping working or reducing the number of hours you work.
•  Involuntary loss of income-producing property due to a disaster, disease, fraud, or other circumstances.
•  Loss of pension.
•  Receipt of settlement payment from a current or former employer due to the employer’s closure or bankruptcy.

 You can make the case that Social Security used outdated or incorrect information when calculating your IRMAA if, for example, you:

•  Filed an amended tax return with the IRS.
•  Have a more recent tax return that shows you are receiving a lower income than previously reported.

 To request a new initial determination, submit a Medicare IRMAA Life-Changing Event form or schedule an appointment with Social Security. You will need to provide documentation of either your correct income or of the life-changing event that caused your income to decrease.

Read Next: How do I Submit an Appeal for my IRMAA Decision
Learn About: What Does Equitable Relief Mean?
Return to: Medicare In-Depth

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