Jane Dotson
If you're looking for information about Medicare, the best place to start is the official website. As the national insurance program administered by the U.S. federal government, Medicare provides health insurance to people over 65, younger people with disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease. The official website is the go-to resource for accurate and up-to-date information on this important program, covering everything from eligibility and enrollment to benefits and claims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://www.medicare.gov |
| Secure Website Indicator | A lock or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website |
| Eligibility | People aged 65 or older, younger people with certain disabilities, or permanent kidney failure |
| Enrollment Period | Begins 3 months before turning 65 and ends 3 months after turning 65 |
| Enrollment Options | Online, phone, or through a local Social Security Office |
| Phone Number | 800-772-1213 |
| TTY Number for Hearing Impaired | +1 800-325-0778 |
| Available Languages | English, Spanish, and other languages |
| Available Days and Times | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility
Medicare is the health insurance program for people aged 65 and over in the United States. However, there are some circumstances in which individuals under the age of 65 may be eligible for Medicare.
If you are 65 or older, you can enrol online for Medicare Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you are already covered through an employer group health plan. If you are receiving monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you will get Part A automatically at age 65. You will not need to file a separate application to become entitled to premium-free Part A. However, if you are not receiving these benefits, you must file an application for Medicare by contacting the Social Security Administration.
If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), receive Disability benefits, or have a disability. You can call 800-772-1213 to apply for Medicare if you have ESRD. You may also be eligible for Medicare if you have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child. You will not pay a Part A premium if you qualify to get retirement or disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. You won't pay a premium if you get Medicare earlier than 65 or are 65 or older and have paid Medicare taxes while working for a certain amount of time (usually at least 10 years). Individuals with permanent kidney failure who are receiving regular dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant may also be eligible for premium-free Part A if they meet certain conditions.
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Enrollment
Medicare is the health insurance program for people aged 65 or older in the United States. If you are under 65, you may still be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or receive disability benefits.
If you are 65 or older, you can enroll online for Medicare Part A and Part B, or Part A only. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. You can delay Part B if you are already covered by an employer's health insurance plan.
Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, you must be entitled to receive Medicare based on your earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child. To receive premium-free Part A, you must have worked for a specified number of quarters and file an application for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.
If you must pay a premium for Part A, you need to meet additional requirements to enroll in Part B. You must be a U.S. resident and citizen or a permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for five continuous years. If you pay a premium for Part A, your coverage begins the month after you enroll.
Individuals already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits at least four months before being eligible for Medicare are automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A and Part B. People who are automatically enrolled can choose to refuse Part B coverage. If you do not enroll in Part B when you are first eligible, you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage and drug plans. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can call 800-772-1213 to apply for Medicare.
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Medicare Advantage and drug plans
The official website for Medicare is Medicare.gov. Here, you can find information about Medicare Advantage and drug plans, also known as Part C or MA plans. These plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare and must follow the rules set by Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Plans provide Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). Some of the different types of Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Special Needs Plans (SNPs), and Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS).
It is important to note that joining a Medicare Advantage Plan may cause you to lose your existing employer or union coverage. This could also result in the loss of coverage for your spouse and dependents. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss the matter with your employer, union, or benefits administrator before joining a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Advantage Plans can disenroll you for various reasons, such as moving outside of the plan's service area, losing Medicare or Medicaid eligibility, joining a drug plan (in certain cases), or if the plan's contract with Medicare ends. In such situations, a grace period is provided, during which you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to review your options and ensure you have the desired Medicare health and drug coverage.
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Medicare for people under 65
The official U.S. government website for Medicare is Medicare.gov. Here, you can find information on how to sign up for Medicare, including for people under 65.
Medicare is the country's health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, or with certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure. If you are under 65 and receiving Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically get Medicare after receiving disability benefits for 24 months or when you turn 65, whichever comes first. If you have ALS, you will automatically get Medicare as soon as you start receiving disability benefits.
If you are under 65 and already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You can also choose to add drug coverage. You should generally sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible to avoid a delay in coverage and the possibility of a late enrollment penalty.
If you are under 65 and have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), permanent kidney failure, you can call 800-772-1213 to apply for Medicare. This number is available in most U.S. time zones, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., in English, Spanish, and other languages.
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Retirement benefits
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for US citizens aged 65 and over. If you are 65 or older, you can enrol online for Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you're already covered through an employer group health plan.
If you are under 65, you may still be eligible for Medicare if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). In these cases, you will receive Medicare Parts A and B immediately upon enrolling in Social Security disability benefits. If you are already receiving Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically begin receiving Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months.
To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child. To receive premium-free Part A, the worker must have a specified number of quarters of coverage (QCs) and file an application for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. The exact number of QCs required depends on whether the person is filing for Part A based on age, disability, or ESRD. QCs are earned through payment of payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) during the person's working years.
If you are not entitled to social security or RRB benefits, you should complete form CMS-4040 to enrol in Part B. If you already have Part A and want to sign up for Part B, you should complete form CMS-40B.
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Frequently asked questions
The official Medicare website is Medicare.gov.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, or with certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure.
You can sign up for Medicare online at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-772-1213. The Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
Medicare Part A and Part B are the two main components of Medicare. Part A covers hospital stays, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care services. Part B covers doctor's services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
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