Tennessee Seniors Get To Keep Medicare’s Overpayment

Tennessee seniors who received an unexpected check from Medicare are now being told they can keep the money.

An August computer glitch at the agency mistakenly reimbursed some Medicare seniors who signed up for the new prescription drug coverage program. About 230-thousand seniors received a check that was, on average, over $200.00.

Initially, Medicare officials sent out letters with instructions to return the money. Now, less than 30 days later, those same seniors are being told to keep it.

Kyle Davis is a Medicare Program Specialist for Tennessee’s Area Agency on Aging and Disability.

“If you have a received a check and you haven’t done anything with it, you can keep it. You can cash it, take it to the bank. If you did return the money, then you do need to contact Medicare and they will give you a refund on the money you sent back to them. You know, the Medicare law says that the government shall not recover an overpayment if the beneficiary was not at fault. And clearly in this whole case, it was strictly the fault of Medicare.”

Davis says it’s unknown how many in Tennessee received a check. To contact Medicare about a refund, call 1-800-Medicare, or go to www.medicare.gov.