- You are currently receiving benefits from Social Security or the RRB (Railroad Retirement Board).
- You are currently eligible to receive Social Security or RRB (Railroad Retirement Board) benefits but you have not filed for them yet.
- You or your spouse has Medicare-covered government employment.
If you have not worked the required 10 years, Part A may be available for you to purchase based on the following criteria:
- If you or your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for 7.5 to 10 years, your Medicare Part A premium will be $232.00 (in 2018).
- If you or your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for less than 7.5 years, your Medicare premium will be $422.00 (in 2018).
Eligibility for Medicare Part B
Your eligibility for Medicare Part B starts when you turn age 65. However, you are responsible for paying a monthly premium for Part B, which is income based, and starts at $134.00/month (in 2018).
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover thing like:
- Services from your doctors and other healthcare providers
- Outpatient care
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
- Diagnostic tests/preventative services
If you are still working, turning 65, and are covered under you or your spouse's health insurance, you can delay your enrollment into Medicare Part B without incurring a late penalty.
Remember, before you delay your enrollment into Medicare Part B, carefully weigh all your options.
And most importantly, feel free to give us a call at 1 (844) 280-0785 and get all your questions answered.
Eligibility for Medicare Part C
You are eligible for Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) if you are currently enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and reside in the plans service area.
Medicare Advantage plans (e.g., HMO, PPO, PFFS) are ways to receive Your Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits through one private plan.
These plans are administered by private insurance companies that contract with the federal government.
Additionally, everyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan still has Medicare Parts A and B and must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium in addition to the specific plan premium.
Eligibility for Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
You are eligible for Medicare Part D as long as you are currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B and reside in the Part D plans service area.
Remember, even-though Medicare Part D is voluntary, it is strongly recommended if you have no other credible drug coverage such as VA or Retiree benefits.
Additionally, if you do NOT enroll in a Part D plan when you are first eligible, and you do NOT have credible coverage, you may be subject to lifelong penalties.
In conclusion, Part D plans may help you significantly lower your prescription drug costs and help protect you against higher costs in the future.
Need Help Navigating Your Medicare Eligibility?
For the most part, turning 65 makes you eligible to apply for Medicare, but there are so many moving pieces to Medicare that figuring out when you should enroll in each Part can be tricky.
For some people, trying to figure it all out can be overwhelming. Often times we see people with "information constipation", they overload on information and then become paralyzed making a decision.
Medicare has many different enrollment rules and enrolling at the wrong time can result in expensive penalties.
Remember, our service is free, so why not call a licensed specialist at 1(844) 280-0785, to help you navigate your enrollment.