Medicare Truth

Am I Eligible?

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).Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A 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 or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months. End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements. While you don’t have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of those conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. The Part B monthly premium in 2008 is $96.40. (Note: The Part B premium may be higher if your income is above a certain amount. For more information, see our FAQ: Medicare Part B Monthly Premiums in 2008. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don’t get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.Note: You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. For more information, please visit our retirement age FAQ.

Turning 65 and Joining Medicare

Turning 65 and Joining Medicare

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for:People age 65 or older.People under age 65 with certain disabilities.People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). Medicare has Two Parts:Part A (Hospital Insurance) Most people don't have to pay for Part A.Part B (Medical Insurance) Most people pay monthly for Part B.You can choose different ways to get the services covered by Medicare. Depending on where you live, you may have different choices. In most cases, when you first get Medicare, you are in the Original Medicare Plan. You may want to consider a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Or, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that provides all your Part A, Part B, and often Part D coverage. You make a choice when you are first eligible for Medicare. Each year you can review your health and prescription needs and switch to a different plan in the fall. As long as you have both Part A and Part B, items covered by Part A and Part B are covered whether you have the Original Medicare Plan, or you belong to a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). For more information see the Your Medicare Coverage database.