Living in the United States has a number of economic advantages. Among those advantages are Social Security and Medicare. The latter government service benefits help the neediest people cover medical expenses. Many U.S. citizens wonder if they can apply for this Medicare without the need to have a Social Security benefit. And the answer is yes, you can apply for Medicare without having an SSA benefit.
The only major requirement is to be 65 years of age or older. Also people with disabilities under age 65 can apply for Medicare, although these cases are a bit more special. If you are thinking of asking about applying for Medicare, there is a government calculator that will help you find out if this part of Social Security belongs to you or not.
What does Medicare include for Social Security beneficiaries?
Anyone who is part of Social Security is entitled to Medicare if they turn 65. Before that it is impossible to apply unless you have a disability. This means that SSA beneficiaries have the same rights to Medicare as people who do not have a subsidy. In this way, the system is a little fairer to all citizens.
As for the parts of Medicare, there are the following:
- Part A: Hospitalization
- Part B: Doctor visits
- Part D: Medications
These descriptions are of a general nature, so that you can get an idea. Within each category you can find more specifications. You can consult the official Medicare website to find out which medical services are covered by each part. In addition to this, Parts A and B have a free and a premium section.
On the other hand, Part D is always premium and requires a payment. Payments are made monthly or every 3 months, depending on the personal situation. Contact Medicare through the telephone number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to ask any questions related to your individual case.