Friday, March 22, 2024

Can You Have Medicare Without Social Security

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If You Are Approaching Or At Age 65

Guard Your Card

If you are approaching age 65 and you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits through early retirement, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. Approximately 3 months prior to your 65th birthday, Medicare will send you an initial enrollment package containing general information about Medicare, a questionnaire and your red-white-and-blue Medicare card.

If you receive the initial enrollment package and you want both Medicare Part A and Part B , simply sign your Medicare card and keep it in your wallet.

If you are approaching age 65 and youre not receiving early retirement Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you can apply for Medicare during your 7-month initial enrollment period . Your IEP begins 3 months before you turn 65, includes the month of your birthday and ends 3 months later. Note: To apply for Medicare Parts A and B, you must contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213. You will also need to sign up separately for a Part D plan to cover your prescription drug benefits. Learn more about Medicare Part D.

Medicare Coverage For People Who Never Worked

Your Medicare Part A coverage is essentially paid for while in the workforce since you pay taxes for Medicare while employed. If you never worked, you likely will not be eligible for premium-free Part A, which covers inpatient care and hospital stays.

You can still get Part A without any work history to do so, youll have to pay a monthly premium like any other form of insurance. That premium could be reduced if you spent some time in the workforce.

For example, if you were employed for years but put your career on pause to be a stay-at-home parent or for any other reason, you could be eligible for a reduced premium.

If you never worked, then your Part A premium for 2022 will be $499. But if you spent at least 30 to 39 quarters in the workforce and paid Medicare taxes, your premium could be reduced to $274.

Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care, comes with a monthly premium that is not affected by your work history.

Employer Or Military Retiree Coverage

If you or your spouse has an Employer Group Health Plan as retiree health coverage from an employer or the military , you may not need additional insurance. Review the EGHPs costs and benefits and contact your employer benefits representative or SHIIP to learn how your coverage works with Medicare.

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If You Get Ssdi Benefits And Are In A 24

  • You may be able to get Medicaid coverage while you wait. You can apply 2 ways:
  • Create an account or log in to complete an application. Answer yes when asked if you have a disability. Well forward your application to your state Medicaid agency.
  • Apply directly to your state Medicaid agency. Select your state from the menu on this Medicaid page for contact information.
  • If youre eligible for Medicaid, your Medicaid eligibility may continue even after you enroll in Medicare.
  • If youre turned down for Medicaid, you may be able to enroll in a private health plan through the Marketplace while waiting for your Medicare coverage to start. You may qualify for lower costs on Marketplace coverage based on your income and household size.
  • When asked about your income on your Marketplace application, be sure to include your SSDI income.

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    Can I Get Medicare Without Social Security

    How To Apply For Medicare Part B Online

    The short answer to this question is yes, you can get Medicare even if you dont receive Social Security benefits. The situation and enrollment process can be a bit different compared to those who are already receiving Social Security benefits when they become eligible for Medicare, so there is still more to say on this topic.

    In this article, we explain everything you need to know about how Social Security and Medicare interact, so enrollment can be easy for you no matter your situation.

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    Can I Get Medicare Coverage If I Dont Sign Up For Social Security At 65

    Who is this for?

    If youre not planning on signing up for Social Security right away, you can still enroll in Medicare. Learn how here.

    These days, people are retiring later in life than their parents did. If youre still working, you might not want to start collecting Social Security benefits right when you turn 65.

    But you can enroll in Medicare at 65 even if youre not getting Social Security. In some cases, signing up for Medicare as soon as youre eligible is better than waiting.

    Heres why:

    • Medicare might have better coverage than your health insurance plan through work.
    • If you dont have a comparable health insurance plan and you wait to sign up for Medicare, your Medicare premiums will be higher when you do sign up.

    Documents To Include With Form Ss

    Once youve completed the form, youll need to gather the documents youre required to submit along with it to prove your identity, age, and citizenship statusthose of the person youre applying for a card on behalf ofor both. These documents typically include the following:

    • An original birth certificate or other permissible proof of age, such as a passport, final adoption decree, or religious record of birth.
    • An unexpired drivers license, passport, or state ID card to prove your identity, or if you dont have one of those, a military ID, employee ID, or another identity card.
    • Additional evidence of citizenship, if you are not submitting a birth certificate or ID. If you arent a U.S. citizen, youll need evidence of immigration status.

    The Social Security Administration will only accept originals or copies that are certified by the agency that issued the original. You cant use photocopies, even notarized ones.

    If you plan to mail your documents to the Social Security Administration, get a certified copy of your drivers license from your state department of motor vehicles instead of sending the original.

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    What Is The Lowest Social Security Payment

    Imagine that an individual who attained full retirement age at 67 had enough years of coverage to qualify for the full minimum Social Security benefit of $897. If they filed at 62, there would be a 30% reduction to benefits. This means that for 2020, the minimum Social Security benefit at 62 is $628.

    Is Social Security based on the last 5 years of work? Social Security benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. Your actual earnings are adjusted or indexed to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then Social Security calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.

    Can a 63 year old get Medicare?

    Generally speaking, no. You can only enroll in Medicare at age 62 if you meet one of these criteria: You have been on Social Security Disability Insurance for at least two years. You are on SSDI because you suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease.

    What are the age criteria for Medicare eligibility? Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease . Medicare has two parts, Part A and Part B .

    When To Start Your Medicare Benefits

    What is my Social Security?

    Unlike Social Security, Medicare is a program in which you cannot enroll until you turn 65 unless you qualify earlier due to certain disabilities or illnesses. So even if you start your Social Security benefits at age 62, you will not age into Medicare until age 65.

    Most people enroll in Medicare at 65, but some people who are still working will delay their Medicare benefits. Well explain more on this below.

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    Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

    Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. All people new to Medicare have a seven-month window to enroll in a PDP three months before, the month of and three months after their Medicare becomes effective. The month you enroll affects the PDPs effective date. All people with Medicare are eligible to enroll in a PDP however, unless you are new to Medicare or are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period, you must enroll or change plans during the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. There is a monthly premium for these plans. If you have limited income and assets/resources, assistance is available to help pay premiums, deductibles and co-payments. You may be entitled to Extra Help through the Social Security Administration. To apply for this benefit contact SHIIP at 1-855-408-1212 or the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or www.socialsecurity.gov.

    A Note On The Railroad Retirement Board

    The Railroad Retirement Board is a government agency that provides benefits to retired railroad workers. Although it is distinct from Social Security, the RRB can also play into many of the Medicareeligibility requirements.

    In most cases, when a Medicare guideline is contingent on receiving Social Security benefits, it is more accurate to say that it depends on Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

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    Can You Get Social Security And Not Sign Up For Medicare

    Yes, many people receive Social Security without signing up for Medicare.

    Most people arent eligible for Medicare until they turn 65. As you can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits at 62, individuals may have Social Security without Medicare for several years.

    Most people enroll in Part B once they turn 65, but you may decide to delay enrolling in Part B if you or your spouse has health insurance through an employer. Be sure to learn more about how Medicare enrollment works in your specific case, though. If you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B when youre first eligible and you dont have other creditable coverage, you could face late enrollment penalties for the rest of the time that you have Part B once you sign up.

    As most people dont pay a premium for Part A, theres no reason to cancel the coverage, even if you dont think you need it. You are free to decline other Medicare plans, such as Parts B and D, though again you should make sure you wont cause yourself to go without coverage or have to pay late enrollment penalties in the future.

    Medicare Parts A And B

    Can You Get Medicare Without Social Security?

    Original Medicare Part A covers hospital care, including emergency services, skilled nursing facility care, in-home care, home health services, and hospice.

    Part A does not typically require a monthly premium, depending on your work and tax history.

    If you are concerned what health services Medicare Part A covers, Medicare.gov recommends that you ask your doctor why you need specific health services during your hospital stay and if Medicare covers the cost of those services.

    Original Medicare Part B coverage includes the cost of doctors services that includes preventive care, outpatient services, lab tests, x-rays, and mental health care.

    You must pay a monthly premium for Part B, and it only covers 80 percent of your health-related costs.

    However, Medicare Parts A and B do not cover all medical related expenses. Here are some of the services Medicare does not cover:

    • Most dental care
    • Hearing exams and hearing aids

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    What About Medicare Advantage

    Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company. Part C insurance plans have distinct pros and cons only you know whether this is the best option for your unique needs.

    If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can buy a Medicare Advantage plan, even if you dont receive Social Security benefits. As with Part D plans, our Find a Plan tool makes it easy to research your options.

    Like Part D, there is no automatic enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans.

    Remember The Initial Enrollment Period

    It is important to remember that you will still have an Initial Enrollment Period in this situation. It is the same 7-month period that surrounds your 65th birthday.

    Unless you have creditable health insurance elsewhere, your IEP is the best time to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B . This is also when you may join a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan. If you choose to stay with Original Medicare plus Part D, you may also apply for a Medigap policy during your IEP.

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    Signing Up For Medicare Part B At 65 If Youre Still Working

    If youre still working at age 65 and youre not claiming Social Security benefits, the government will not automatically enroll you in Medicare Part B, which covers doctors visits, diagnostic tests, medical equipment, ambulance transportation, and mental health care.

    If you work for a company with 20 or more employees and youre enrolled in your employers health insurance plan, you dont have to enroll in Part B. You also might not want to because it isnt free.

    When Are Medicare Premiums Due

    Can you work if you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits?

    All Medicare bills are due on the 25th of the month. In most cases, your premium is due the same month that you get the bill. Example of billing timeline

    For your payment to be on time, we must get your payment by the due date on your bill. Submit your payment at least 5 business days before the due date, so we can get it on time.

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    Can I Get Medicare If I Never Worked

    You can still get Medicare if you never worked, but it will likely be more expensive. Unless you worked and paid Medicare taxes for 10 years also measured as 40 quarters you will have to pay a monthly premium for Part A. This may differ depending on your spouse or if you spent some time in the workforce.

    Who Is Eligible For Medicare

    Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease . Medicare has two parts, Part A and Part B . You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

    • You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
    • You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but you have not yet filed for them.
    • You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

    To find out if you are eligible and your expected premium, go the Medicare.gov eligibility tool.

    If you did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, and you are age 65 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you may be able to buy Part A. If you are under age 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

    • You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
    • You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

    While most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A, everyone must pay for Part B if they want it. This monthly premium is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you do not get any of these payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.

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    Explore Your Other Medicare Coverage Options

    Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can explore additional coverage options.

    You can decide to:

    • Add a Medigap supplement insurance policy.
    • Add a Part D prescription drug plan.
    • Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan also known as Part C to replace your Original Medicare coverage.

    Medicare Part D, Medigap and Medicare Advantage are all administered by private insurance companies that contract with CMS.

    You can apply for these benefits online.

    Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to explore and compare plans in your area.

    If You Already Receive Benefits From Social Security:

    Can You Receive Medicare Without Receiving Social Security Benefits ...

    If you already get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn age 65. You will not need to do anything to enroll. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If your 65th birthday is February 20, 2010, your Medicare effective date would be February 1, 2010.

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    Applying For Medicare By Phone

    Just like applying online, applying for Medicare by phone is easy. You can contact a representative at 1-800-772-1213.

    Get A Free Quote

    Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in your area

    Depending on call volume, there might be a wait time. If the wait time is above average, you can schedule an appointment to have a representative call you.

    The only downfall with applying for Medicare by phone is that it can take longer than online. If youre ahead of the game and start well before your birthday, applying by phone shouldnt cause any issues.

    To Qualify For Medicare You Need To Get Disability Benefits From:

    • Social Security
    • Railroad Retirement Board

    Youll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits for 24 months. Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card.

    If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

    If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.

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