If everyone approaching the age of 65 had the right attitude about Medicare, knowing what you should do in the years before Medicare can clarify and even make this whole process simpler.
Unfortunately, there are those who prefer to schedule dental appointments rather than research what they should do. But, when it comes to Medicare, not being prepared can not only cost you money, but also put your health at risk.
A person who, for years, had been on his or her spouse’s employer group health plan, but they recently separated, had just turned 65 and his or her Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP, would end next month, his or her first step was to do online enrollment in Part A and Part B, when it started, ran into an obstacle.
A Social Security agent told her that she had only 38 credits and was not eligible for Medicare enrollment. She could return to work and enroll once she had earned two more credits. (The amount of income a loan generates in 2024 is $1,730. A person can get up to four credits a year, find more information about the credits on the Social Security website).
There Are Two Parts for Medicare Eligibility
Eligible to enroll in Medicare
Anyone who is at least 65 years old and is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States continuously for at least five years is eligible. Younger people who have a disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) may also qualify if they meet the requirements.
Eligible for Part A hospital insurance with no premium
This is where the 40 credits come into play. Those who have the credits can enroll without the need for a premium, those who do not have the 40 credits can enroll, but they will have to pay a monthly premium, this is because they had at least 30 credits, those people with less than 30 quarters of coverage pay the entire premium which is $505.
Qualify on a spouse’s employment record
It is possible to qualify for premium-free Part A based on a spouse’s work history. There are three situations that are admitted:
- Married for at least a year;
- Divorced after a marriage that was at least 10 years and now single.
- Married for at least nine months when the spouse dies and is now a widower.
In all three situations, the spouse must be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. That means he or she is already receiving benefits and, if not, is eligible to receive them (earned 40 credits and is 62 or older).
A citizen who was never legally married, so he could not qualify based on his spouse’s work history. You may have gotten coverage through your domestic partner, but in the eyes of Medicare, that’s not valid.
Medicare is a very important life event, start planning ahead of time, check your earnings history through your my Social Security account to find out if you are eligible for Part A without premium, so later you will have time to solve a problem or just have the medicare homework ready.
