A monthly payment, or premium, is not required for most people (including spouses) who paid Medicare taxes while they were working – generally at least 10 years. You don’t pay a premium if you are 65 or older and you get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. You also don’t pay a premium if:
- You are younger than 65 and have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
- You have end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) and need dialysis or a transplant.
If you are 65 or older and don’t qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, you can buy Part A with a monthly premium. If you buy Part A, you also need to pay a premium for Part B. Check online at www.medicare.gov for details on premium amounts.
You usually need to pay some amount (deductibles or co-pays) for services before Medicare pays. But if you have a Medigap policy, it may cover your deductibles and co-pays. (See “What is Medigap?” for more information.)