Medicare 101: An Overview
Eligibility For Medicare
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Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you aren’t yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).
Following are some simple guidelines.
You can get Part A coverage at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:
- You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
- You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't yet filed for them.
- You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.
If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if you have:
- Received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
- End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements.
You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.
If you pay FICA taxes, you should receive a statement each year which says whether you are eligible based on your work records. If you don’t get it or have questions about eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, call Social Security at 800. 772.1213 or visit or call your local Social Security office . TTY users should call 800-325-0778. You can also get information about buying Part A as well as Part B if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A.
NOTE:
- With respect to credits:
- Credits are earned as follows: A worker makes payments into the Social Security System through F.I.C.A. payroll taxes. Payments become credits. The amount required for one credit varies.
- Credits are earned at the rate of 4 per year, genearlly one credit for each calendar quarter.
- You do not have to work a full quarter to earn a credit. It is the dollar amount rather than the length of time worked during a quarter that counts for a credit.
- if you haven’t worked long tnough to quality – you may qualify on your current or former spouse’s work record- or you may be able to buy into the program. If you continue working until you gain 40 credits, you will no longer have to pay premiums.
- Individuals who are not otherwise eligible who are age 65 or older may purchase Medicare coverage by paying a monthly premium.
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