<prompt> Human: My friend, who is 75 and retired is trying to survive only on a 1,650 social security check each month and she is struggling because 280 17 of her benefit is being paid into what she describes as medicare and supplement payments. I am curious about why they are taking this from her check and if she really has to pay it every month? Is this just some kind of racket paying insurance companies? Its not a lot of money but it would make a HUGE difference to her. Assistant: They pull the premium for Medicare Part B directly from your Social Security payments.Human: What is Part B and why does she have to pay separately for it? I thought the elderly, who lived on social security, had their healthcare taken care of. She says the supplement is about covering co-payments, which confuses me as well. I just dont understand why she is supposed to be covered yet she is paying so much.  <response>: Medicare isnt free. 