The Medicare Program - Overview

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The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) administers Medicare, the nation's largest health insurance program, which covers 39 million Americans.

Medicare provides health insurance to people age 65 and over and those who have permanent kidney failure and certain people with disabilities.

Who's Eligible for Medicare?

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. You might also qualify for coverage if you are a younger person with a disability or with chronic kidney disease.

Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

·        You are already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

·        You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them.

·        You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

·        You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.

·        You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

While you do not have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of those conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. The Part B monthly premium is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check.

If you have questions about your eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, or if you want to apply for Medicare, call the Social Security Administration. The toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-772-1213. The TTY-TDD number for the hearing and speech impaired is 1-800-325-0778. You can also get information about buying Part A as well as part B if you do not qualify for premium-free part A.

For more information, go to Medicare’s web site at http://www.medicare.gov.