frequently asked questions
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Most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old. You may also qualify earlier if you have been receiving Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months.
Part A (Hospital Insurance): Usually premium-free if you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters).
Part B (Medical Insurance): This has a monthly premium, typically deducted directly from your Social Security check.
Not drawing Social Security yet? You’ll need to enroll through Social Security and pay your Part B premium directly, usually on a quarterly basis
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Visit your local social security office or apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
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“Creditable coverage” is a Medicare term that means your previous health or drug coverage was at least as good as Medicare’s standard benefits.
This term most often applies to Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). If you have creditable prescription coverage through an employer, union, or another source when you first become eligible for Medicare, you can delay enrolling in Part D without a late enrollment penalty.
If you go without creditable drug coverage for 63 days or longer after becoming eligible, Medicare may charge you a permanent penalty once you do enroll in a Part D plan.
https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/creditable-coverage
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Item descriptYes, “Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Cost” is a program through social security that helps to paid for Medicare Part D drug cost for those with limited income and resources. The program helps cover costs like monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, and waives the late enrollment penalty for Part D
2025, the annual income limits are $23,475 for an individual and $31,725 for a married couple, with corresponding resource limits of $17,600 and $35,130