Eligibility for Medicare depends on factors such as:

• Age - You must be 65 or older to enroll in a Medicare plan. You can receive Part A without premium if you receive or are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Additionally, you may qualify for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse held public employment covered by Medicare.

• Disability - If you are under the age of 65 and have a disability, you may be eligible for Medicare.

• End-stage kidney disease - With this disease, you have permanent kidney failure and need dialysis or a transplant. You are eligible for Medicare.

If you have not paid Medicare taxes while working, are over age 65, and are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may need to purchase Part A.

If you are under 65, you can receive premium-free Part A if:

• You have been awarded disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months.

• You are a patient who requires a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Most people do not have to pay for Part A. However, if you want to have Medicare Part B, you must pay for it. The premium is deducted monthly from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you do not receive these types of payments, you will receive a bill every 3 months from Medicare.

No part of Medicare is mandatory, but if you decide to enroll in any part of Medicare after your Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to pay financial penalties unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period with creditable employer coverage.

Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working.

There is also no premium charged in Part A if:

• You receive Social Security benefits.

• You have received disability benefits for at least 24 months.

There is a monthly premium for Part B, which is deducted from your Social Security, or from your Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits if you receive those. For 2024, the standard premium for Part B coverage is $174.70 or more, depending on your income level.

Medicare Part D, also known as Medicare prescription drug coverage, is optional coverage that helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for prescription drugs they self-administer. It can cover most prescription medications.

Medicare Part D plans must cover several prescription drugs that people with Medicare take. You can get Medicare Part D through private insurance as a stand-alone plan or as an add-on through a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies contracted by the federal government. Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, covers the same health care services as Original Medicare, except for hospice care. There are many Medicare Advantage plans that also include prescription drug coverage.

Additionally, many Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for routine vision, dental, and hearing care services. Health and wellness benefits, such as fitness programs, may also be offered.

You need to understand your personal health care needs and choose Medicare coverage that will help you meet them. For example, if you are taking prescription drugs now, when you get Medicare, you will need to make sure you get Part D prescription drug coverage, either through a stand-alone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Our Comfort Insurance agents can help you find the perfect Medicare plan for your needs. Fill out the form below or call us to get started!

Both Medicare and Medicaid are government health care programs, but they are very different. Medicare is generally for people over age 65 or people who have a qualifying disability. Medicaid is a state government program for people with limited income and resources. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These people are considered “dual eligible” and often qualify for special Medicare plans.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental or vision care; however, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans do. Plans include all coverage provided by Parts A and B and often additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and gym memberships, all in one plan.