To be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A on the basis of age, a person must be age 65 or older and either eligible for monthly social security or railroad retirement cash benefits, or would be eligible for such benefits if the worker's quarters of coverage (QCs) from government employment were regular Social Security QCs.  An individual who is insured for monthly benefits need not actually file an application to receive the benefits.  If such a person continues to work beyond age 65, he or she may instead elect to file an application for Medicare Part A only.

Medicare Part A for the aged begins with the month in which the individual becomes age 65*, provided he or she files an application for either (1) Part A; or (2) cash benefits and Part A within 6 months of the month in which he or she becomes age 65.  If the application is filed later than that, Part A entitlement can be retroactive for only 6 months.

*For Medicare purposes, individuals attain age 65 the day before their actual 65th birthday and Part A is effective on the first day of the month upon attainment of age 65. For an individual whose 65th birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A is effective on the first day of the month preceding their birth month.  For example, if an individual's birthday is on December 1, Part A is effective on November 1 since for Medicare purposes, he or she attained age 65 on November 30.  Medicare Part A entitlement generally does not end until the death of the individual.

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Page Last Modified: 04/25/2008 7:42:56 PM
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