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Step By Step Guide to Apply for Medicare Part A

 

Medicare Part A is a hospital insurance funded by the government. People over 65 who receive social security or railroad retirement board benefits are automatically qualified for Medicare Part A. Some people under 65 with certain disabilities can also receive Medicare benefits.

 

 

There is no monthly premium for Medicare Part A, though there are some co-payments due at the time that services are received.

 

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How to Sign Up For Medicare Part A

Some people will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A

• People who already receive Social Security or Retired Railroad Board benefits will automatically begin receiving Part A on the first day of the month they turn 65.
• People who are under 65 and are disabled will automatically receive Part A on their 25th month of disability.
• People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) will automatically receive Part A during the first month of disability.

If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, but you are approaching your 65th birthday, you should contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You can get the contact information for your local Social Security office from the Social Security website. 

 

Video: Who Qualifies for Medicare?

You may not be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A because you didn’t pay enough Medicare taxes while you were working. In that case, you can still purchase Part A coverage and your premium could be as high as $443. There are specific times that are allowed to enroll in Medicare Part A. You must wait until one of these windows to complete your application for Medicare benefits. 

 

1. Your initial enrollment period. This is the time that you are first eligible for Medicare. It starts the three months before you turn 65 and ends the third month after you turn 65. For example, if you were born on September 15, 1944, your initial enrollment will fall between June 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

 

2. The general enrollment period is between January 1 and March 31 every year. If you sign up during the general enrollment period, your coverage will begin on July 1 of that calendar year. If you miss the general enrollment period during one year, you will have to wait until the next general enrollment period to sign up for Part A.
4. There is a special enrollment period if you or your spouse are covered under an employer’s group health plan. You can sign up anytime that you are covered under a group health plan at your current employer. Or, you have 8 months after the group plan coverage ends to sign up for Part A.
6. Finally there is a special enrollment international period for international volunteers who waited to sign up for Medicare insurance because they already had health insurance while they were volunteering. These volunteers have six months after they return to the U.S. to enroll in Medicare.

You must purchase Part A when you are first eligible to avoid a 10% penalty. The penalty will increase your premiums for a full year. To purchase Medicare Part A, contact the Medicare office online or by calling 1-800-633-4227.