Medicare Overview

Medicare has two parts:

• Part A (hospital insurance) 
• Part B (medical insurance)

Part A

Part A is free if you are 65 or older and you or your spouse:

• worked for at least 10 years and paid Medicare taxes
• had Medicare covered government employment
• are getting government retirement benefits

If you are over 65 and don’t get Part A for free, you may be able to buy Medicare.

If you are under 65, you can get Part A for free if:

• you are a kidney dialysis or transplant patient
• you have been getting government disability benefits for 24 months 

Part B

Part B is not free. Everyone has to pay for it. Your monthly fee comes out of your:

government retirement 

Social Security check

If you do not get government retirement benefits, Medicare sends you a bill every three months.

Medicare Part B covers doctor visits.

More Information

If you have questions or want to apply, click here to go online to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or call at 1-800-772-1213. The SSA number for people with hearing impairment is 1-800-325-0778.

Look for more information at these sites:

• Administration for Children and Families
• Benefits Check Up from the National Council on Aging (free for those over 55)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• U.S. Government Benefits
• Medicare
• Social Security 
• Supplemental Security Income or SSI