Can you buy Medicare coverage? |
Yes. After premium-free Medicare coverage ends due to work, you can buy continued Medicare coverage, as long as you remain medically disabled. If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible for state assistance with these costs under various Medicare Savings Programs. Your state Health and Human Services agency makes the determination about whether you qualify for this help. |
Who is eligible to buy Medicare coverage? |
You are eligible to buy Medicare coverage if you meet all of the requirements below:
You are not yet age 65.
You continue to have a disabling impairment.
Your Medicare stopped due to work.
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What kind of Medicare coverage can you buy? |
Premium Hospital Insurance (Part A) is available at the same monthly cost that uninsured eligible retired beneficiaries pay. If you have less than 30 quarters of coverage, the premium is $437 in 2019. However, you may qualify for a reduction in this premium (see below).
Premium Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B) is available at $135.50 per month in 2019 (or higher depending on your income). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you will pay for Part B in 2019. For more information, see link for “How much does Part B cost?”: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-b-costs/part-b-costs.html.
You can buy Part A separately without Part B. You cannot buy Part B unless you also buy Part A. Premium Prescription Drug coverage (Part D) is also available. |
Do you qualify for a reduction in your monthly Part A premium? |
You may qualify for a 45 percent reduction in the monthly amount of your premium for Part A. You must meet one of the requirements below to qualify for the reduced premium :
You must have 30 or more quarters of coverage on your earnings record.
You have been married for at least one year to a worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage.
You were married for at least one year to a deceased worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage.
You are divorced, after at least 10 years of marriage, from a worker who had 30 or more quarters of coverage at the time the divorce became final.
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When can you enroll? |
You may enroll:
During your initial enrollment period (the month you are notified about the end of your premium-free health insurance and the following seven months).
During the annual general enrollment period (January through March 31 of each year).
During a special enrollment period. You can enroll at any time while you are working, covered under an employer group health plan, still have a disabling impairment, or during the 8-month period that begins with the first full month after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever occurs first.
For Part D, you may enroll (or change plans) during the annual coordinated election period (October 15 through December 7 of each year). The effective date for the enrollment is January 1 of the upcoming year. There also will be special enrollment periods for some situations. |
How does it work with an employer’s group health plan? |
Generally, if you purchase Part A and maintain your employer’s group health plan, Medicare will be your primary payer if you are working. Your group health plan would become a secondary payer. |
When does the state pay premiums for Medicare? |
States are required to pay Part A premiums for some working persons with disabilities. You qualify if you meet these four requirements:
Are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A for persons with disabilities who work.
Meet certain income and resource standards.
Apply for assistance with your state Medicaid agency.
Are ineligible for Medicaid on any other basis.
Note
Persons with disabilities who work should contact their state health and human services agency for information. More information about state help with Medicare Part A premiums is provided later in this publication.
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