Qualifying for Premium Free Medicare: Dear Toni, Inaccurately, I enrolled in Medicare. Upon his dismissal, Sonny, my spouse, forfeited the employer-provided health insurance that I was enrolled in in February. As a veteran obtaining medical services from the VA, he was exempt from the requirement to enroll in Medicare.
Medicare has been enrolled in me since April, when I will turn 65. However, I am uncertain whether I enrolled in Medicare correctly, as Part A costs me an additional $505 and Part B costs me $174.70. Isn’t Part A complimentary?
Since Sonny and I were married forty years ago, I have not worked extensively, and Social Security has identified this as my problem. What steps should I take to rectify my error with Medicare? — Laredo, Terry, Texas
Respected Terry: Medicare Part A does not provide complimentary coverage. Most Americans are unaware that premium-free Part A requires a certain number of hours and employment taxes. This is the probable source of your issue.
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For free Part A, you must have worked and paid Social Security and Medicare taxes from your paycheck for ten years, or forty quarters. The Part A monthly cost in 2024 is $278 if you have paid Medicare taxes for 30 to 39 quarters. Part A requires a monthly premium of $505 if contributions to Medicare taxes span less than 30 quarters.
If you’ve been married for at least ten years to a spouse who’s met the 10-year/40-quarters criterion, you can use your spouse’s Social Security number to apply for Medicare. Terry, your Medicare application should have been submitted under Sonny’s account.
Getting in touch with your local Social Security office is my recommendation. Request assistance in appealing your $505 Part A premium, as you have been a stay-at-home spouse while your spouse has worked sufficient quarters to qualify for premium-free Part A.
Social Security will examine the quarters in your husband’s Social Security account and confirm with the IRS that he is eligible. Social Security requires a certified marriage license; a copy is not acceptable.
Toni King is a health insurance and Medicare author and columnist. For inquiries regarding Medicare, please contact us at [email protected] or 832-519-8664.
