Medicare Enrollment

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers Medicare, the nation's largest health insurance program, which covers nearly 40 million Americans.

Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).
 

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 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Medicare Eligibility

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

• You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
• You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't 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.
• End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements.

While you do not have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A if you meet one of these conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. Starting January 1, 2007, the Part B premium will be based on your income.

Most people pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $93.50 in 2007. If you didn't sign up for Medicare Part B when you first became eligible, you may be able to sign up during the General Enrollment Period.

This period runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Part B at your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 1-800-808-0772. Your Medicare Part B coverage will start on July 1 of the year you sign up.

Important: The cost of Medicare Part B will go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B but didn't take it, except in special cases. You will have to pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare Part B.

If you already have Medicare Part A and need Part B you can sign up for Part B at your local Social Security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778).