Medicare Insurance Helpful Links and Downloads

Medicare Education Made Easy

Medicare Insurance Helpful Links and Downloads

Are You Eligible for Medicare?

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, and you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

If you are not 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them.
You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement
Board disability benefits for 24 months. You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

While you don’t have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of those conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don’t get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.

Start with this Helpful Medicare Information

These organizations, resources, and downloads are a good place to start if you have more questions or a specific situation you need help with.

Helpful Texas Medicare Resources

Administration on Aging

For help in finding local, state, and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers in your area, call Eldercare at 1-800-677-1116, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, or visit ElderCare.gov.

Hospice Information

For information about hospice care programs in your area, call your state’s hospice care organization. Call the Medicare Helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to get the number in your state. Or visit HospiceFoundation.org.

Medicare & You

The official handbook for Medicare programs is updated each year. You can download a copy at Medicare.gov or call the Medicare Helpline to request a copy. Medicare’s online tools can also help you compare drug plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, and Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans. You can visit Medicare.gov for details.

Medicare Helpline

For questions about Medicare and detailed information about plans in your area, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or visit Medicare.gov.

National Council on Aging

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization dedicated to helping seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. Go to NCOA.org to learn more.

National Institute on Aging

NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA is the primary Federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research.
www.nia.nih.gov

Social Security Administration

For help with questions about eligibility, enrollment, and arranging for help with the cost of Medicare, and for answers about Social Security retirement and disability benefits, go to SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.