What are the qualifications to get Medicare Part A Hospital at no cost?
Are there Alternatives to paying $471/month? Medicare.Gov
To be eligible for premium-free Part A, Hospital – an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.
To receive premium-free Part A, the worker must have a specified number of quarters of coverage (QCs) [40] and file an application for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.
The exact number of QCs (quarters) required is dependent on whether the person is filing for Part A on the basis of age, disability, or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). QCs are earned through payment of payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act Wikipedia (FICA) during the person’s working years.
Most individuals pay the full FICA tax so the QCs they earn can be used to meet the requirements for both monthly Social Security benefits and premium-free Part A. Medicare & You Handbook – and Enrolling in A & B See link in side panel *
One spouse did not work and pay into Medicare for the 40 quarters.
Can they apply under their spouses entitlement?
If you’re at least 62 and have worked at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, your spouse can get Part A and Part B at 65.
If you’ve worked at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment but aren’t yet 62 when your spouse turns 65, they won’t be eligible for premium-free Part A until your 62nd birthday. In this case, your spouse should still apply for Part B at 65, so they can avoid paying a higher Part B premium.
However, if you’re still working and your spouse is covered under your group health plan, they could delay their Part B enrollment without paying higher premiums. Publication 11036
Web Visitor Q & A
What about qualifying on my spouses work history?
How can I get Medicare if I don’t qualify for FREE Part A Medicare?
How to earn Social Security – Medicare Credits Publication # 10072 *
Watch out for penalties if you don’t enroll when you are supposed to.
If you are lawfully present, over age 65, but not eligible for Medicare – You qualify for Obamacare! Including Subsidies
How long must one live in the USA to be able to buy into Medicare?
An individual must be a U.S. resident and either a citizen, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency who has resided in the U.S. continuously for at least 5 years as of the time the application is filed. persons desiring Premium-Part A can only file for coverage during a prescribed enrollment period (see the discussion under Medicare Part B) and must also enroll or already be enrolled in Part B. CMS.Gov
Medicare Eligibility Calculator
Don’t have 5 years? Check out the Bridge Plan or ACA/Obamacare
Links & Resources
Medicare & You Print & Video 150 pages Excellent Introduction
medicare.gov/cost/ Part B – Deductibles – Co-Pays
Medicare ONLINE Enrollment Instructions & Links

Eligibility & Premium Calculator
Amplicare.com
Part D Rx Late Enrollment Penalty Calculator
VIDEO
How Part D Late Enrollment Penalty is calculated
Visit Our Webpages on:
- Late Part D Rx Penalties?
- Premium Surcharge if you have High Income?
How to earn Social Security – Medicare Credits Publication # 10072
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What every woman should know - # 10127
Medicare Enrolling in Parts A & B # 11036

- Our web page with instructions and the actual Medicare Link to enroll
- Understanding the Medicare Premium Bill
#cms500 - if you already have Part A, you can’t enroll for Part B online, you have to fill out a form OMB No. 0938-1230 !
Medicare and You 2021 #10050
Everything you want to know – Read Along
Video
Deciding to Sign up for Part B Doctor & Out of Hospital
FAQ from Updated Page
#1) My understanding from various call and office visits to Social Security is that I do not sign up for Social Security until my husband applies at 65.
#2) Since I am fully covered by his group health insurance, I do not apply for Medicare until he applies for his Social Security at which time I would apply for spousal benefits?
Is there something I should be doing before I turn 65 to avoid penalties later?
Thank you.
My father and mother have had Covered CA Silver 94 PPO plan, with APTC since ACA went into effect. Their income is below FPL but through two years of consecutive appeals hearing, the Judge had ordered Covered CA that they are eligible for APTC since they are not eligible for non-MAGI Medi-Cal (since both my dad and mom are above 65, and have assets more than Medi-Cal limits, and they cannot spend down). Both my dad and mom have been legal permanent residents (green card) at the time of the appeals in 2016 and in 2015. They are eligible for Medicare but are not eligible for premium-free Medicare, and Covered CA did send them a letter stating that people who are not eligible for premium-free Medicare and who dont enroll in Medicare could be eligible for APTC. Just like last two years, again for 2017, Covered CA has told them that we are not eligible for APTC for 2017 coverage. My dad became a US citizen late 2016. But they continue to be ineligible for Medi-Cal, or premium-free Medicare. And without APTC, they cannot afford to get an affordable minimum qualified health plan. They have filed for an appeal, but if you can point us to any sections of the ACA, or Federal Code of Regulations or California regulations, or special rules/clarifications, or IRS notes that we can represent to the judge during our hearing, it would be really helpful. It is strange that while they would be eligible for APTC as non-citizen aliens (as decided by the Judge last 2 years), their becoming a citizen makes it worse for them.
I have a few questions that I have numbered below for convenience.
Regarding the sign up on the Social Security site, I understood from your email last week that I should sign up for:
1. Medicare parts A and B.
2. But should I also sign up for part D?
3. What about Medigap?
4. When do I sign up for part C (Advantage)?
5. Once I sign up for Medicare can I start my coverage with the Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO) plan effective April 1, 2016? If not, when will that coverage start?
6. Once that coverage begins, do I pay for it until Bruce turns 62 in October?
7. Also, have you heard from Blue Shield yet?
Please try to answer today if you can so that I can try to sign up today.
Thanks.
2 No, as you were getting the Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plan. It includes Part D, Rx. Use the menu above to learn more about the Blue Shield and other plans.
3 Medicare Advantage is pretty comprehensive and highly regulated. It’s my understanding an agent can go to jail if they sell you a Medi Gap plan in addition to a Medicare Advantage plan, as you don’t need the additional coverage.
4 As soon as you get Part B, that should give you a new enrollment period into Medicare Advantage – Part C. OOPS!!! One has to check every rule, I don’t see that in Publication 11219 Understanding Medicare C & D Enrollment periods. It’s if you get Part B during the general enrollment period then you get a Medicare Advantage enrollment period. So, if you get your Part A & B NOW, then you can apply by the end of March for a April 1 start date. This MUST be done by the 31st as your 65th birthday was in December. We have your Blue Shield application, just give us your Medicare #.
5 Yes. Sign up TODAY and get us the number. At least some PROOF that you’ve signed up and will be effective in April!
6 The Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan has no premium, other than the optional dental. Use the menu above to get the details and disclosures.
You will always pay for Part B Medicare – Doctor Visits.
It’s my understanding that once your husband turns 62 then you won’t have to pay the Part A premium of $426/month. Everything I have on buying Part A is on the page above or in the links to Medicare, Social Security and CMS websites.7 I just reemailed them and they agreed that you can pay for Part A or wait till your husband turns 62. If there are Part B late enrollment penalties, Blue Shield doesn’t do that. Social Security assesses them. The late enrollment penalty calculator also shows Part A premium and when one is eligible.