December 2, 2021
2 minute read

Do you have Medicare Part A eligibility?

When you have Medicare Part A eligibility, you’re covered by one of the largest federal programs in the country. Medicare Part A will cover the inpatient hospital care portion of your healthcare.

But how do you know if you qualify for Medicare? And what do you need to know about signing up for Medicare? Learning about your Medicare Part A eligibility is the first step toward choosing a plan that best works for your needs.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A, also known as hospital insurance, can cover your inpatient hospital care, home health services, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care. Medicare Part A is automatically included when you are enrolled in or sign up for Medicare.

Medicare Part A is only one component of Original Medicare. Part B, also known as medical insurance, is the other half of Original Medicare. It covers outpatient services, such as doctor visits, mammograms, diabetes treatment, and prostate screenings. Most people have to sign up for Part B for it to be included in their Medicare coverage.

Understanding Medicare Part A eligibility

Like many American citizens, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare coverage if one of the following applies to you:

  • You’re 65 and already receive benefits from Social Security.
  • You’re 65 and already receive benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
  • You’re under 65, have a disability, and are receiving disability benefits.
  • You have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) or ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease).

If any of the above Medicare Part A eligibility qualifications apply to you, then you’re considered Medicare eligible. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you three months before your 65th birthday or on your 25th month of disability.

If you aren’t getting benefits from Social Security (or the RRB) at least four months before you turn 65, you’ll need to sign up with Social Security directly.

How do I apply for Medicare Part A only?

If you aren’t automatically enrolled in Medicare, you can sign up through the Social Security Administration website. You’ll see easy-to-follow instructions on how to sign up online, by phone, or in person at a local office.

Is Medicare Part A free?

You do not pay a premium for Medicare Part A if you have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, or 40 employment quarters.

Can you get Medicare if you never worked?

Yes, you can get Medicare if you’ve never worked, but you’ll have to pay a monthly premium. In 2022, Part A monthly premiums are up to $499 for seniors who paid Medicare taxes for less than seven years and six months, or 30 employment quarters. Seniors who paid Medicare taxes up to nine years and nine months, or 39 employment quarters, pay $274 for a Part A monthly premium.

Am I eligible for Medicare Part A?

Figuring out Medicare Part A eligibility and how to sign up for Medicare can be confusing. If you’re still uncertain whether you qualify for Medicare Part A, HealthMarkets can help.

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© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week).

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46899-HM-1221

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week).

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46899-HM-1221

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week).

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46899-HM-1221