If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a specified time while working, you usually will not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. This is also known as premium-free Part A, and most people receive this.

You are eligible for premium-free Part A at 65 if:

• You are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits or are eligible but have not filed yet.
• You or your spouse worked a Medicare-covered government job.

For those under 65, you may be eligible for premium-free Part A if:

• You have received disability benefits from Social Security or Railroad disability benefits for 24 months.
• You are experiencing end-stage renal disease (ESRD), meeting certain requirements.

For individuals that do not meet the criteria for premium-free Part A, there is an option to buy Part A and pay a premium of $259 or $471 each month in 2021. The rate you pay is dependent on how long you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes. You have the option to not buy Part A (Hospital Insurance) and only purchase Part B (Medical Insurance).

Commonly, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also:

1. Have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
2. Pay monthly premiums for Part A and Part B

Primarily, Part A covers:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Nursing home care
• Hospice
• Home health care