Medicare Eligibility

Medicare is government sponsored Health Insurance for

• People 65 or older
• People under 65 with certain disabilities
• People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

*from “Medicare and You” Publication, 2011

If you paid Medicare taxes while working, you will be eligible to receive Medicare Part A premium-free (those not eligible can pay up to $450 monthly). See the Medicare and You publication for details on how to obtain Part A if you aren’t eligible for it premium-free.

Medicare Part B requires a premium. The current premium for part B is $115.40 for an individual income of $85,000 or less.

Part B is optional, but if you don’t sign up for it when you first become eligible, you may have to pay a penalty later. (page 25 of the Medicare and You Handbook).