I saw a ninety-dollar deposit into my checking account this morning. It came as a surprise. Turns out it is a rebate from part B Medicare. I missed that announcement somehow. Anyway, the funds came from a fund created in 2008.

George W Bush was the president in 2008 when the Medicare Improvement Fund was created. The stated purpose was to help pay for the premiums. “President Trump is the first president to actually use the Medicare Improvement Fund to improve Medicare by making the program more affordable for enrollees. In the past, Congress has repeatedly withdrawn from the fund to “offset” new spending around 20 times.[2] For instance, President Obama worked with Congress to take $20.7 billion from the Medicare Improvement Fund to help pay for Obamacare in 2010.[3]”

That quote is from CMS.gov so it does contain some bias, I’m certain of that. I add that for clarity. Anyway, I’ve never heard of this fund before, but it has never been a secret, I just wasn’t paying attention. I like getting a rebate. Some will say Trump is attempting to buy votes. You could see it that way, I get that. Well, maybe he is, but it is still a better use of the funds than propping up Obamacare! Obamacare is the only example in our history of the government forcing you to buy a product or be fined for not doing so! And now I know he was using my money to do that!

“The term MIPPA stands for the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. This federal law introduced a broad set of reforms aimed at improving Medicare efficiency, strengthening program integrity, and expanding access to care. For beneficiaries, providers, and policymakers, understanding what MIPPA stands for and how it influences Medicare helps clarify ongoing coverage, payment rules, and enforcement practices that shape the United States health care system.”

The fund was created to finance improvements to Medicare parts A and B. Congress has added and subtracted from that fund over thirty times since its’ creation. This is the first time it is being used to issue a rebate. About 20.8 million rebates will be issued. There are complaints from those that are not eligible to receive that rebate. 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. They are the ones complaining because they aren’t getting enough!

It’s my thinking if we continue to cut the waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system more rebates may be in order. That millions of dollars are paid out for fraudulent claims is undisputable. Now, if you really want to get confused about all of this Google where the money comes from for the Medicare Improvement fund actually comes from. The Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is the answer to that, but it isn’t that straightforward.

According to the CMS (center for Medicare and medicaid services) this is the first time any money has been spent from that fund. That according to the Congressional Budget Office. It’s not considered being spent when the money is simply moved from one account to another, even though the money is being moved for spending. Only the government can do that trick!

Well, I hope that clears things up for those of you receiving that rebate check. I haven’t decided just how to spend mine yet. The responsible use would be to pay for my Medicare part B coverage, that is the intended reason for issuing the rebate. But, I’ve already paid that, so. Maybe I should buy crypto. Or go to McDonalds.