Can I Get Medicare Part A For Free?
Yes! You will receive premium-free Medicare Part A if:
- You receive retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
- You are eligible to receive Social Security or RRB benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.
- You or your partner have Medicare-enabled government employment.
You may also qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A if you were a government employee any time after December 31, 1982, or a state or local employee any time after March 31, 1986.
Eligibility for premium-free Medicare Part A if you are below 65
If you are below 65 years old, you can receive premium-free Part A if:
- You receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
- You have End-Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and meet special criteria.
If you return to work, you can retain your Medicare coverage indefinitely so long as you remain medically incapacitated. During the first 8.5 years of returning to work, you won’t have to pay the Part A premium. Once you have reached the 8.5-year mark, you will have to pay the Part A premium.
If, at any point, your revenue is too low to afford the Part A premium, you may qualify for the Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) program. The QDWI initiative pays the Part A premium as long as you qualify and meet the criteria.
Part A Premiums
If you do not satisfy the conditions above, you will probably pay a monthly premium rate for Part A. Your monthly Part A premium will depend on how many years you or your partner has served at a job at which you paid Medicare taxes in the United States.
In 2020, people who don’t qualify for premium-free Part A can pay a premium of $0, $252, and up to $458 every month, based on how long they or their partner have worked and paid Medicare taxes.
- $0: If you have worked a total of 40 quarters (10 years) or more
- $252: If you worked between 30 to 39 quarters (7.5 and 10 years)
- $458: If you worked fewer than 30 quarters (7.5 years)
If you’re a low-income earner, you may be eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program. The QMB covers your Medicare Part A and B premiums and other Medicare expenses.
If you have any other questions regarding Medicare Part A, contact Advanced Insurance Concepts at 816-476-8191.
