Medicare FAQs

Individuals are first eligible for Medicare at age 65. Medicare is also available for people younger than 65, with certain disabilities or end-stage kidney failure.

If you wait to receive Medicare after the age of 65, and do not have credible health coverage during that time, you may receive a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP).

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans have enrollment and election periods. This means that there are certain times you are and are not able to enroll into traditional Medicare and/or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Generally, yes. Most years the Medicare Part B premium increases. In 2025 the monthly Part B premium was $185. For 2026 the Part B premium is $202.90. This premium amount is subject to further increase with high income, determined by Medicare.

Yes, Medicare Saving Program (MSP) is a Medicaid program for individuals with low income and limited resources. If you qualify, you may receive help paying for you Part B monthly premium.

Medicare Part B premiums are subject to increase with high income, determined by Medicare.

If you already get Social Security benefits, Medicare will automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). You will receive all the information you need a few months before you become eligible via postal mail.

If you do not get Social Security benefits and are not ready to apply for them yet, you have a 7-month window to enroll into Medicare when you are first eligible, nearing the age of 65. This is known as your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The IEP consists of the 3 months before your 65th birth month, the month of, and 3 months after.

The application process is very easy. Normally individuals applying for Part B may need to fill out one or two forms, depending on their circumstance. These forms are then sent to Social Security. If you are ready to sign up for Part B, we would be happy to help. To speak with a licensed agent, give us a call anytime at 1 (800) 970-8939.

Yes. If you are working and receiving credible coverage from an employer, you are still able to sign up for Medicare. There are a few options for you to consider.

If you would like to continue working and receive coverage from your employer, you have the option to only enroll in Part A and delay you Part B enrollment without receiving a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) as long as you remain under your employer’s credible coverage.

You also have the option to continue working, decline employer coverage, and chose to enroll into Medicare Parts A & B. At this point you would also be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

You may be able to delay signing up for Medicare Part B without a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) if you or your spouse is working, and you are getting health insurance benefits through that employment.

The two most common Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties (LEP) are the Part B Late Enrollment Penalty and the Part D Late Enrollment Penalty.

Part B Late Enrollment Penalty – If you did not get Part B when you were first eligible and did not have credible coverage through employer benefits, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up. In most cases, you will have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B. And the penalty increases the longer you go without Part B coverage.

Part D Late Enrollment Penalty – The late enrollment penalty is an amount that is permanently added to your Medicare drug coverage (Part D) premium. You may owe a Late Enrollment Penalty if you do not have a Part D plan or other credible drug coverage 63 days after the end of your Initial Enrollment Period.

There are 3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty:

1. Enroll in Medicare drug coverage when you are first eligible.

2. Enroll in Medicare drug coverage if you lose other credible prescription coverage.

3. Keep records showing when you had other creditable drug coverage and tell your health insurance plan when they ask about it.

During the course of the year, your medication costs are subject to change based on the Part D coverage stage you are in.

If your Medicare card is lost or damaged, log into (or create) your Medicare account to print a copy of your Medicare card. You can also call Medicare directly and request and replacement card at 1-800-MEDICARE 1 (800) 633-4227.

Medicare and Medicaid are two governmental programs that are often times confused for each other. On one hand, Medicare is an insurance program for people over 65 primarily, regardless of income. On the other hand, Medicaid is an assistance program serving low-income people of every age.

Generally, yes. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B do not cover the shingles shot. But normally, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) cover all commercially available vaccines (like the shingles shot) needed to prevent illness. Contact your Medicare drug plan for more information about coverage.