Medicare can set up automatic payments from your checking account, but only for your monthly premiums — not for claims or other costs

If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you can arrange for Medicare to withdraw your Part B premium directly from your checking account each month. This is called automatic bank draft or electronic funds withdrawal. Medicare does not automatically debit your account — you have to request it. Once you set it up, the withdrawal happens on the same day each month, usually around the 24th.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D) through a private insurance company, that company — not Medicare — handles the premium payments. Some of those companies offer automatic withdrawal, and some do not. You would set that up directly with your insurance company, not with Medicare.

Medicare never withdraws money for deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or any other out-of-pocket costs you owe. Those are your responsibility to pay to the provider or facility where you received care. If a provider or hospital tries to set up automatic withdrawals for those amounts, that is a separate arrangement between you and them, not a Medicare process.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare can only withdraw your Part B premium from your checking account; it cannot withdraw for copays, deductibles, or other medical bills.
  • You must request automatic bank draft yourself — Medicare does not set it up without your permission.
  • If you have a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan through a private company, that company handles premium withdrawals, not Medicare.
  • The withdrawal typically happens on the 24th of each month, and you can cancel it at any time by contacting Medicare.

How to set up automatic withdrawal for your Part B premium

You can request automatic bank draft in three ways: by phone, by mail, or online through your Medicare account. The fastest method is calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A representative will ask for your checking account number and routing number — the same information you would give to set up direct deposit for a paycheck. You will need to provide your Medicare number as well.

If you prefer to do it by mail, you can fill out Form CMS-588, which is the official Medicare authorization form for automatic bank draft. You can read it from Medicare.gov or request it by phone. Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form, along with a voided check or a bank statement showing your account number and routing number.

You can also set up automatic withdrawal through your personal Medicare account on Medicare.gov. Log in, go to "Billing and Payments," and select the option to set up automatic bank draft. This method is available 24 hours a day and does not require you to speak with anyone.

What information you need to provide

Medicare will ask for your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is unique to your checking account. Both numbers appear at the bottom of your checks — the routing number is on the left, and your account number is in the middle.

If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or calling your bank directly. Many banks will read these numbers to you over the phone or provide them in writing. You can also bring a bank statement to a branch and ask a teller to write down both numbers for you.

You will also need your Medicare number, which appears on your Medicare card. Have this information ready before you call or start the online process, so you do not have to look it up while you are on the phone or filling out a form.

When the withdrawal happens and how to track it

Once your automatic bank draft is approved, Medicare will withdraw your Part B premium on a set day each month — usually the 24th, though the exact date can vary slightly depending on weekends and holidays. The withdrawal will appear on your checking account statement with a description that includes "Medicare" or "CMS" (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

You can check your Medicare payment history anytime by logging into your account on Medicare.gov. Go to "Billing and Payments" and select "View Payment History." This shows you every withdrawal Medicare has made, the date it was processed, and the amount. If you see a withdrawal you do not recognize or believe is incorrect, you can contact Medicare when ready at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Your bank will also show the withdrawal on your monthly checking account statement. If you notice a withdrawal that looks wrong, contact your bank first to confirm it came from Medicare, then call Medicare to report it.

Stopping automatic withdrawals or changing your account

You can cancel automatic bank draft at any time. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and tell the representative you want to stop automatic withdrawals. They will ask for your Medicare number and confirm your request. The cancellation takes effect within a few business days, though you may see one more withdrawal if it was already scheduled before you called.

If you want to change to a different checking account — for example, if you switch banks — you do not have to cancel the old arrangement and start over. Call Medicare and provide your new account number and routing number. Medicare will update your information and begin withdrawing from the new account on the next scheduled withdrawal date.

If you cancel automatic withdrawal, you are responsible for paying your Part B premium another way. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card through Medicare.gov, or you can set up a new automatic withdrawal arrangement at any time.

What happens if your account does not have enough money

If Medicare attempts to withdraw your premium and your checking account does not have enough funds, the withdrawal will fail. Medicare will try again, usually within a few business days. If the second attempt also fails, Medicare will send you a bill in the mail for the amount owed.

If your account is frequently low on funds around the withdrawal date, you can contact Medicare to request a different withdrawal date. Not all dates are available, but Medicare will work with you to find one that fits your banking schedule better. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about changing your withdrawal date.

If you receive a bill because a withdrawal failed, pay it as soon as you can. If your Part B premium goes unpaid for too long, you may lose your coverage or face a penalty when you enroll again later.

Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans: how their payments work

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your monthly premium is usually handled by the private insurance company that runs the plan, not by Medicare directly. Some Medicare Advantage plans do not charge a monthly premium at all — you pay only when you use care. Others charge a premium, and you can often set up automatic withdrawal with that company.

To set up automatic withdrawal for a Medicare Advantage premium, contact your insurance company directly. The process is similar to what Medicare does, but each company has its own system. Look for the phone number on your insurance card or in your plan documents.

The same applies to prescription drug plans (Part D). Your drug plan company collects the premium, and you arrange automatic withdrawal with them, not with Medicare. If you have questions about whether your plan offers automatic withdrawal, call the customer service number on your plan card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare withdraw money for my copays or deductibles?

No. Medicare only withdraws your Part B premium. Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are your responsibility to pay directly to the provider or facility. If a hospital or doctor's office asks to set up automatic withdrawal for those amounts, that is a separate arrangement with them, not with Medicare.

What if I do not have a checking account?

You can still pay your Part B premium, but you cannot use automatic bank draft. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card through Medicare.gov, or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to arrange payment by phone. Some people use a prepaid debit card instead of a checking account, and automatic withdrawal may work with those as well — ask your bank or card provider.

Is automatic withdrawal safe, or could someone steal my account information?

Automatic withdrawal through Medicare is find because you are providing your information directly to Medicare, a federal agency. Your routing and account numbers are the same information you give to your employer for direct deposit, and banks handle millions of automatic withdrawals safely every day. If you are concerned about fraud, monitor your checking account statement regularly and report any unauthorized withdrawals to your bank when ready.

What if I move to a different state?

Your automatic bank draft continues to work the same way. Your Medicare coverage and premium do not change when you move, so your automatic withdrawal will keep happening on the same schedule. If you change banks as part of your move, update your account information with Medicare so the withdrawal goes to your new account.

Can I set up automatic withdrawal for someone else's Medicare account?

No. Only the person whose name is on the Medicare account can authorize automatic bank draft. If you are helping a family member manage their Medicare, they will need to contact Medicare themselves or give you power of attorney. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask about the power of attorney process if that applies to your situation.