You do not need to be collecting Social Security before getting Medicare. However, if you are receiving Social Security, then you will automatically be signed up for Medicare by the Social Security Administration when you reach age 65. You will be signed up for Medicare Parts A and B.

Usually, when someone is receiving Social Security benefits, they do not have to pay a premium for their Medicare Part A and Part B. However, if you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you may have to pay a premium for your Medicare Parts A and B. In 2021, the premium for Part B was $148.50 a month but could be higher if you have an income of $88,000 or more a year.

You can still sign up for Medicare even if you do not qualify for Social Security, but you will have to pay for your coverage unless your spouse has been paying Medicare taxes. In that case, you may be eligible to receive Part A for free. The best way to know is to speak with a licensed insurance agent who will be able to advise you about your different options.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance that is often provided to individuals associated with individuals who’ve reached retirement age. There are four different parts to Medicare:

• Part A, which covers your hospital expenses and stay at a skilled nursing facility or hospice
• Part B, which covers your preventative care, doctors appointments, and outpatient care
• Part C, which is often referred to as Medicare Advantage Plans or Medigap Plans, provides supplemental insurance to your Part A and Part B coverage since those plans usually have “gaps” or areas they do not cover, driving up healthcare costs
• Part D, which is your prescription drug plan

In order to qualify for Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has been living in the United States for five continuous years prior to the month that you file an application for Medicare. You can also be eligible for Medicare if you are disabled or have End-Stage Renal Disease.

Suppose you have been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits for at least four months before becoming eligible for Medicare. In that case, you are automatically enrolled in both Medicare Parts A & B and may not be required to pay a monthly premium for your insurance.

Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medigap plans, are desirable by those who know that they will have higher medical costs due to their medical history. These Medicare Part C plans are not available in all areas, so speaking to a licensed insurance agent can help you find the right plan for you.

Who can I talk to about my different options?

There are many different plans offered by major health insurance corporations such as Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. So which one is the best one? That will depend on your health, your preferences, whether or not you want to stick with doctors you have already been seeing, and what plans are available in your local area. You can read more here to learn about options available to individuals in the state of Arizona