Medicare · Costs
How to appeal an IRMAA decision
Last reviewed May 29, 20263 min readBy the Goodsurance editorial team Reviewed by the Goodsurance editorial team
If you got a letter saying you will pay more for Medicare because of your income, you can appeal it, and many people win. IRMAA is set from a tax return two years old, so if your income has dropped since then, a successful appeal can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.
What IRMAA is
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It is an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income is above a set threshold. The Social Security Administration (SSA) decides whether you owe it using your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior, so your 2026 IRMAA is based on your 2024 tax return. If your income has fallen since then, you may be paying more than you should.
When you can appeal
You can appeal if you had a qualifying life-changing event that reduced your income, or if you believe SSA used incorrect or outdated tax information. Qualifying events include:
- Marriage
- Divorce or annulment
- Death of a spouse
- You or your spouse stopping work or reducing hours
- Loss of income-producing property
- Loss or reduction of certain pension income
- An employer settlement payment due to closure or bankruptcy
If one of these applies, you have strong grounds. Even without a life-changing event, you can still appeal an error in the income figure SSA used.
from the date on your determination letter to file an IRMAA appeal. Miss it and you restart the process.
The appeal, step by step
1. Read your determination letter. It names the tax year and income figure that triggered the surcharge.
2. Pick your method. File Form SSA-44 for a life-changing event, or request a formal reconsideration if you believe the determination is simply wrong.
3. Complete Form SSA-44. You describe the event, estimate your new income, and attach proof.
4. Gather documents. Depending on the situation: a marriage or death certificate, divorce decree, a retirement or work-stoppage letter, or a more recent tax return.
5. Submit it by mail, by fax, or in person at your local Social Security office. Keep copies of everything.
6. Wait for the decision. Most are processed within 30 to 90 days. If approved, your premium is adjusted and overpayments may be refunded, often back to the date of your event.
After you appeal
If your appeal succeeds, SSA recalculates your premium and notifies you of the change. If it is denied, you can request a hearing before the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals within 60 days of the denial. Because IRMAA is recalculated every year, you can also appeal again in a future year if your income changes.
Common questions about IRMAA appeals
Quick answers, fast .
Tap any question to expand. Each links to a fuller standalone answer.
Can I appeal IRMAA every year?
Yes. IRMAA is recalculated annually from your most recent tax return, so if your income changes, your IRMAA can change too.
How long does an IRMAA appeal take?
Most appeals are processed within 30 to 90 days, depending on complexity and the SSA office’s workload.
Will I get a refund if my appeal is approved?
Yes. If you overpaid, SSA typically refunds the difference once your premium is recalculated, often retroactive to your life-changing event.
References
- SSA, Medicare IRMAA Life-Changing Event (Form SSA-44)The form and instructions for an income-based appeal. ssa.gov
- Medicare.gov, Part B costs / IRMAAOfficial explanation of the income-related adjustment. medicare.gov