Isn’t Medicare Part A Free?

Toni,

I need your help! I’ve made a mistake enrolling in Medicare. This February, my husband Sonny was laid off and lost his employer’s health insurance, which I was also on. He’s a veteran and receives his health care from the VA. Therefore, he didn’t have to enroll in Medicare, so his healthcare isn’t costing us anything.

I enrolled in Medicare since I’m going to turn 65 in April. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I enrolled properly. My Medicare is costing me an extra $505 for Medicare Part A and $174.70 for Medicare Part B. Isn’t Medicare Part A free?

I haven’t worked very much since Sonny and I married 40 years ago. Social Security told me that’s my issue. Please explain what I should do to correct my Medicare mistake.

Thank you, Toni,
Terry from Laredo, TX

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Hi Terry,

No, Medicare Part A is NOT free! Many Americans aren’t aware that they must work a certain amount of time and pay employment taxes to receive premium-free Medicare Part A. This is most likely the cause of your problem. Don’t feel bad. The Toni Says® Medicare team helps resolve this issue quite often. Let’s break it down, step by step.

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Who’s Eligible for Medicare Part A?

To qualify for Medicare Part A at no cost, you must have worked (and paid) Social Security and Medicare taxes from your payroll check for 10 years or 40 quarters. Here’s an example for you.

If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, then the standard Part A premium is $278 each month.
If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the premium for Medicare Part A is $505 each month ($1 less than in 2023).

However, those who do NOT qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A but have been married for at least 10 years to an individual who meets the 10 years/40 quarters requirement, should apply for Medicare under their working spouse’s Social Security number. What this means for you, Terry, is that you should’ve applied for Medicare under Sonny’s account.

Where Should Terry Go From Here?

My advice to Terry and others in her position is to contact your local Social Security office. For those who don’t know, that’s the government office that enrolls Americans in Medicare. Ask the Social Security representative to appeal your Medicare Part A premium of $505. Explain that you’ve been a stay-at-home spouse, but your husband has worked enough quarters to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A.

Social Security will look over your husband’s Social Security accounts and verify with the IRS that he has enough quarters to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. Be prepared to provide a certified marriage license showing you are married. You will have to provide the original certified marriage license (not a copy) to Social Security.

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You’ll have to pay for your Medicare Part A premium if you:
- Did not work enough quarters to quality.
- Have never married or lived with someone as a domestic partner
- Are married to or living with a domestic partner who didn’t work enough quarters to qualify.

Readers—don’t forget how important working and paying taxes for 40 quarters is to enroll in Medicare! What you don’t know about enrolling in Medicare WILL hurt you.

Call the Toni Says® Medicare hotline at 832-519-8664 or email info@tonisays.com.