Can a family member pay my premium bill on my behalf / for me?

Yes, as long as the family member is using their own credit / debit card or they are an authorized representative on your credit / debit card they can make payment on your behalf.

What types of payment options do I have?

Independent Health accepts cash, check/money order, Mastercard, Visa, Discover & American Express. We also allow for auto deduction from a bank account or Social Security withhold. To enroll in these options, please call Customer Service at 716-635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405 (TTY users call 711).

Why is my bill showing I owe for 2 months, when I paid last month's premium bill?

Medicare Invoices are generated on or around the 2nd Tuesday of the month. If your payment was received after the invoice generated it's possible the payment and bill crossed in the mail. Please refer to the statement date, and compare that to the date the payment processed through your banking institution.

Is there a late charge if the premium bill is not paid on time?

Independent Health does not charge a late fee if the bill is not paid exactly on time however, please be aware of our delinquency process.

Do I have to pay my premium in full if I receive Low Income Subsidy (LIS)?

If you receive Low Income Subsidy (LIS) for your Medicare Part D prescription coverage, that subsidy will be applied to your invoice on a monthly basis. Therefore, you won't be responsible to pay the entire cost of your monthly plan premium.

If termed can I be reinstated upon paying past due balances?

Members are required to make payment in full on any outstanding premiums owed to Independent Health before being re-enrolled in any plan. All enrollment guidelines apply - the member would need an SEP or would need to wait until Annual Enrollment. Termination due to non-payment also does not give the member an SEP to enroll in another MA or part D plan. Payment of past due premiums does not create an opportunity for reinstatement into the plan. The member would need a "Good Cause" to justify their failure to pay premiums.

What is EPIC?

EPIC stands for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage and is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 280,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Seniors can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive EPIC benefits and maintain coverage.

For more information about EPIC and to apply for the subsidy, please take a look at information on the New York State, Department of Health website.

Why do I keep getting a bill when I'm paying my monthly share?

Independent Health must receive the EPIC payment before it can be credited to your account. EPIC is 60-90 days behind, since we cannot credit your account for payments not yet received, you will continue to receive an invoice. If you no longer want to receive an invoice, you would need to submit the number of months EPIC is behind.

Do I have to pay my premium in full if I receive EPIC?

We no longer credit EPIC subsidy to a member's account without having first received payment. Until we receive the first EPIC payment, you are responsible to pay your monthly premium in full.

When will I get refunded since I'm paying in advance?

EPIC sends us one payment per month to cover your subsidy. Since it could take several months before we receive your initial EPIC subsidy payment, we would not receive the final payments for 2020 until early 2021. If you remain with Independent Health for the following plan year, those payments would be applied to your monthly plan premium for the first few months of 2021. As a result, there will be no gap in us receiving payments from EPIC in 2021. If you choose not to stay with Independent Health, we would refund those subsidy payments to you when we receive them in 2021.

Will I be termed if I can't pay the total cost of my monthly premium?

As with any financial obligation, we recommend that you pay whatever you can toward the premium amount you owe. By doing so, you may be able to avoid our delinquency process. Until we receive the first EPIC payment, you are responsible to pay your monthly premium in full.

If termed, can I be reinstated upon paying past due balances?

Members are required to make payment in full on any outstanding premiums owed to Independent Health before being re-enrolled in any plan. All enrollment guidelines apply. The member would need an SEP or would need to wait until Annual Enrollment. Termination due to non-payment also does not give the member an SEP to enroll in another MA or part D plan. Payment of past due premiums does not create an opportunity for reinstatement into the plan. The member would need a "Good Cause" to justify their failure to pay premiums.