Trump Medicare Rebates Roll Out

The Trump administration announced one-time $90 payments for about 20.8 million people enrolled in traditional Medicare Part B. The payments will cost about $2 billion and are meant to help cover premiums. Part B generally starts at about $200 a month and covers doctor visits, ambulance trips and lab tests. The money will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress created in 2008 for fee-for-service Medicare improvements. The White House said the checks put money back in patients’ hands. West Virginia healthcare advocate Ellen Allen called the payment negligible and a political stunt. Eligible beneficiaries do not need to apply. Most direct deposits are expected around Friday.