Medicare Eligibility
To be eligible for Medicare you must:
- Be 65 years old or older, or
- Be on Social Security Disability for at least 25 months, or
- Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease, or
- Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
AND
Be a US citizen or legal resident of the US for at least the last 5 years.
Undocumented immigrants are not eligilble for Medicare.
The Medicare Alphabet
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A
Think of Part A as hospital insurance.
It covers charges for being admitted to the hospital and for rehab in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay.
It also covers hospice care.
For most people Part A does not have a premium. If you, or your spouse, has worked and paid taxes 40 quarters, 10 years, you are eligible for Part A with
Think of Part A as hospital insurance.
It covers charges for being admitted to the hospital and for rehab in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay.
It also covers hospice care.
For most people Part A does not have a premium. If you, or your spouse, has worked and paid taxes 40 quarters, 10 years, you are eligible for Part A without additional cost.
If you are not eligible for premium free Part A you can buy it. In 2025 the premium is either $285 or $518 per month depending on how many quarters you worked and paid taxes.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A
Part B covers things outside the hospital. Think doctor visits, lab tests, ambulance etc.
There is a premium for part B. For 2025 it is $185 per month and is usually deducted from your monthly social security check.
In rare instances, depending on your income, you may qualify for a subsidy to help pay your premium or you may have to pay a surcharge that increases your monthly premium.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part D
Yes, only the federal government would put D before C. We'll get to C later.
Part D is prescription coverage, think D for drugs.
Drug coverage was not part of "Original Medicare" but as medication prices have sky-rocketed insurance coverage has become necessary for the vast majority of seniors.
Though highly regulated by Medicare, Part D mu
Yes, only the federal government would put D before C. We'll get to C later.
Part D is prescription coverage, think D for drugs.
Drug coverage was not part of "Original Medicare" but as medication prices have sky-rocketed insurance coverage has become necessary for the vast majority of seniors.
Though highly regulated by Medicare, Part D must be purchased through private companies. Each Part D plan is slightly different but they all have premiums. For 2025 the average premium for Part D is $45 per month.
About Your Medicare Solutions
Medicare Part C
Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplements
This is the Medicare All-In-One plan. It offers all the coverage of Medicare Parts A and B combined with dental, vision, hearing and fitness coverage. Part C usually includes Part D coverage but can be purchased without Part D for individuals with Part D coverage from another source.
Plans differ, but all offer some combination of additi
This is the Medicare All-In-One plan. It offers all the coverage of Medicare Parts A and B combined with dental, vision, hearing and fitness coverage. Part C usually includes Part D coverage but can be purchased without Part D for individuals with Part D coverage from another source.
Plans differ, but all offer some combination of additional benefits such as a spending card, transportation or post hospital meal service. Premiums are usually $0 or low after the $185 Part B premium. There are copays and deductibles with a set maximum at which point you pay no more out of pocket costs.
These plans tend to have networks and sometimes require referrals.
Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplements
These plans, sometimes called Medigap, are designed to fill the gaps in coverage left by Medicare, Part A and B, to a greater or lesser degree. They are identified by alpahbetically, Plan A through Plan N. They are standardized, meaning that a plan from company ABC has the same coverage as the same plan from company 123. The most popu
These plans, sometimes called Medigap, are designed to fill the gaps in coverage left by Medicare, Part A and B, to a greater or lesser degree. They are identified by alpahbetically, Plan A through Plan N. They are standardized, meaning that a plan from company ABC has the same coverage as the same plan from company 123. The most popular plan is Plan G which covers the Part A deductible and copays as well as Part B coinsurance. None of these plans pay the part B deductible.* These plans do not cover medication. Coverage for medication, dental, vision and hearing must be purchased separately if desired. The premiums for these plans tend to be more expensive but you can see any provider that accepts Medicare and out-of-pocket costs are more predictable.
*If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020 you have the additional option of Plan F which pays your Part B deductible.
Hospital Indemnity
Medicare Supplements
Hospital Indemnity
These plans are designed to protect you from high-out-of pocket expenses in unexpected situations.
They generally cover the more expensive out-of-pocket copays after Part C pays such as inpatient hospital copays, outpatient surgery or expensive diagnostic tests.. The premiums vary but usually range about $30 to $60 per month.
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