MSP Approved but Still Deducting Part B: New York Premium Refund Timeline
Why the Deduction Keeps Going After Approval
You got the approval letter from the county DSS or HRA. Your parent qualifies for QMB or QI. But the next Social Security deposit still shows a $202.90 Part B deduction. And the one after that. This is normal — frustrating, but expected.
The gap exists because of how three systems talk to each other:
- Local agency (county DSS or NYC HRA) approves the MSP and enters the case into the state system
- eMedNY (New York's Medicaid management system) transmits a buy-in transaction record to CMS
- CMS processes the buy-in and notifies Social Security to stop the deduction
This loop typically takes 60 to 90 days from the date the local agency approves the case. During that window, Social Security has not received the instruction to stop, so the premium continues coming out.
The Retroactive Refund
Once Social Security processes the buy-in record, it calculates every Part B premium deducted from the MSP effective date forward and deposits a lump-sum refund directly into the bank account linked to the Social Security benefit.
If QMB was approved effective November 1 and the buy-in processes in January, Social Security refunds the premiums deducted for eligible months from November onward. If premiums for November, December, and January have all been deducted, the three-month total is $608.70. The refund is a separate deposit; its arrival date depends on SSA processing.
For QI, coverage can be retroactive up to three months before the application month. If the retroactive period applies, the refund covers those earlier months too.
What to Do If It Takes Longer Than 90 Days
If more than three months have passed since the approval date and the Part B premium is still being deducted:
Check with the local agency first. Ask whether the buy-in transaction was transmitted to eMedNY. Sometimes an administrative backlog or a data entry issue delays the transmission at the state level. The agency can confirm the transaction date.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Ask whether they have received a state buy-in record for the Medicare claim number. If the record has not arrived, the problem is on the state side. If it has arrived but has not been processed, Social Security can provide an estimated timeline.
Contact the Medicare Rights Center (1-800-333-4114) if neither agency resolves the delay. Their advocates can track the transaction between eMedNY and CMS.
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How to Verify the Refund Arrived
The retroactive refund appears as a deposit separate from the regular monthly Social Security payment. Check the bank statement for a deposit from SSA that does not match the usual benefit amount.
To confirm the amount is correct, count only the Part B premiums actually deducted for months on or after the MSP effective date, and multiply by $202.90. If the refund is short, contact Social Security with the approval notice showing the effective date.
Going forward, the monthly Social Security deposit should increase by $202.90 once the buy-in is active — that is the premium the state is now paying.
The New York Medicare Savings Programs Guide includes a premium refund tracking worksheet and the exact steps to escalate a delayed buy-in.
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