Medicare Part A, together with Medicare Part B, is also called Original Medicare. It is the insurance plan that covers hospital stays and services. Generally, it also covers stays in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and in certain cases can cover home healthcare services.
How do I qualify for Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A is health insurance offered to United States citizens and legal immigrants who have permanently resided in the U.S. without a break for at least five years. You’re eligible if you’re 65 and older or under age 65 with certain disabilities. You may also qualify at any age if you have end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
How much will my Medicare Part A cost me?
Many people get Medicare Part A without a premium if they’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes for the required amount of time. Generally you or your spouse must have worked under Medicare-covered employment for 10 years or 40 quarters.
There are other costs associated with your Part A coverage including deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance, which can all change from year to year. Your costs may depend on the type of service you’re getting and how often.
If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for less than 10 years, the length of time that you worked will be taken into consideration when Social Security determines the amount you owe for your Medicare Part A premium. Your premium amount may be reduced the longer you or your spouse worked and paid taxes. Visit this page for more information on your Medicare Part A premiums and other costs.
How do I enroll in Medicare Part A?
You are automatically enrolled IF:
You will need to enroll manually IF:
How do I qualify for Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A is health insurance offered to United States citizens and legal immigrants who have permanently resided in the U.S. without a break for at least five years. You’re eligible if you’re 65 and older or under age 65 with certain disabilities. You may also qualify at any age if you have end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
How much will my Medicare Part A cost me?
Many people get Medicare Part A without a premium if they’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes for the required amount of time. Generally you or your spouse must have worked under Medicare-covered employment for 10 years or 40 quarters.
There are other costs associated with your Part A coverage including deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance, which can all change from year to year. Your costs may depend on the type of service you’re getting and how often.
If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for less than 10 years, the length of time that you worked will be taken into consideration when Social Security determines the amount you owe for your Medicare Part A premium. Your premium amount may be reduced the longer you or your spouse worked and paid taxes. Visit this page for more information on your Medicare Part A premiums and other costs.
How do I enroll in Medicare Part A?
You are automatically enrolled IF:
- You’re currently receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Enrollment starts the first day of the month you turn age 65. If your birthday happens to fall on the first day of the month, then you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare on the first day of the month before your birthday. You should get your Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday.
- You are under age 65 and disabled and have received disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail three months before the 25th month of disability. If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease), you automatically get Part A the first month that your disability benefits begin.
You will need to enroll manually IF:
- You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- You are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, meet citizenship or residency requirements, are 65 or older OR are under 65 and disabled, and your premium-free Medicare Part A coverage ended because you returned to work.
- Online
- By phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Medicare representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- In person at your local Social Security office