Medicare is a huge and complex topic that most people don’t understand. Simply put, it’s a federal health insurance program that covers hospital and medical expenses for seniors. If one is 65 or over, they may be able to enroll for Medicare insurance. Read on to learn more about the program.
Eligibility for Medicare
For most people, Medicare eligibility begins three months before their birth month and ends three months after. In general, one must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for five years or more and meet certain conditions to qualify for Medicare benefits when they turn 65.
– Any individual who has worked under the Social Security system for ten years or more qualifies for Medicare coverage. The spouse of such a person may also be covered even if they don’t directly qualify for Medicare benefits.
– A person or their spouse can qualify if they are either a retiree or an active-duty government employee who is not covered by Social Security but has contributed to Medicare payroll taxes.
– Because workers pay Medicare payroll taxes for a full decade, they don’t have to pay premiums for Medicare A hospital coverage.
– Medicare Part B is one of two parts of the Social Security Act, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services. Medicare Part D is the other part, which covers prescription drugs. Premiums are required for both parts.
Medicare for People Under 65
-The disabled, elderly, and others with high healthcare costs may qualify for Medicare if they have certain medical conditions and have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least two years. They do not need to have received this benefit for consecutive months, just 24 months in total.
-An individual can qualify for Medicare if he or she has end-stage renal disease, is receiving dialysis, or has had a kidney transplant. Medicare eligibility is determined by the amount of time one has worked and paid Social Security taxes. In addition, one’s spouse must have paid Social Security taxes for a specified period of time, depending on his or her age.
– A person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, qualifies for Medicare after being diagnosed.
– Any individual who receives a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board, and meets other requirements, is eligible for Medicare.
