Medicare Part A Helps Cover:

• Inpatient care in hospitals (including critical access hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities)
• Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care)
• Hospice care
• Home health care services
• Inpatient care in a Religious Non-Medical Health Care Institution (RNHCI)

Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.

Buying Medicare Part A

If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy it if you meet one of the following conditions:

You’re age 65 or older, entitled to (or enrolling in) Part B, and meet citizenship or residency requirements; or you’re disabled, and your premium-free Part A ended because you returned to work.

In most cases, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also have Part B and pay monthly premiums for both. If you have limited income and resources, your state may help pay for Part A and/or Part B.

For more information about Part A premiums, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).

How to Tell If You Have Part A

You can check your Medicare card to see if you have Part A.

Important:

• If you have Original Medicare, use your Medicare card to receive covered services.
• If you join a Medicare plan, you must use the plan’s card instead.

Signing Up for Medicare Part A

Many People Get Part A Automatically

You’re usually automatically enrolled in Part A if you receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

• Coverage typically starts the first day of the month you turn 65
• If your birthday is on the first day of the month, coverage begins the prior month
• If you’re under 65 and disabled, Part A begins after 24 months of disability benefits
• If you have ALS, Part A and Part B begin the same month disability benefits start

You’ll receive your Medicare card about three months before coverage begins.

Some People Need to Sign Up

If you aren’t receiving Social Security or RRB benefits (for example, if you’re still working), you must sign up for Part A, even if you qualify for premium-free coverage.

You may enroll during:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month period around your 65th birthday
• General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 – March 31 each year (coverage starts July 1; late penalties may apply)
• Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you or your spouse are working and covered by an employer or union group plan
• International Volunteer SEP: For individuals serving as volunteers in a foreign country

If you don’t buy Part A when first eligible, your premium may increase 10% and remain higher for twice the number of years you delayed enrollment.

For more information, visit https://www.ssa.gov or contact Social Security. Railroad workers should contact the RRB at 1-877-772-5772.