Part A

Most people don't have to pay for Part A because they or their spouse have paid for it already through payroll taxes.

Part A does not require payment for people who are 65 and older and who:

• Receive or are entitled to Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, or
• Have worked long enough in a government job to be eligible, or
• Are entitled to Social Security benefits based on a spouse's (or ex-spouse's) work record

It also covers younger people who:

• Have been getting Social Security disability benefits for 2 years, or
• Get Social Security disability benefits and have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( Lou Gehrig's disease), or
• Have worked long enough in a government job to meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program

All persons with kidney failure are covered if they:

• Receive maintenance dialysis or have had a kidney transplant, and
• Are insured or are getting benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system, or
• Have worked long enough in government to be eligible

Those who do not meet these eligibility criteria may still purchase Plan A.

Part B

Part B requires a monthly payment and can be purchased with deductions from your Social Security, railroad, or Civil Service retirement check. While the costs of Part B continue to rise, the enrollment fees are generally much lower than the cost of private insurance.

Medicare Advantage

Like private insurance, all Medicare plans have deductibles, copayments, and fee restrictions, which can add up quickly. These costs are often called "gaps." For help with costs of these payments, private companies offer "gap" (or medigap) insurance.

Alternatives to gap insurance include Medicare Advantage plans available from managed care companies in many areas. These plans include Parts A and B (at the standard cost) and the approved prescription drug plans. They also provide extra benefits, including paying more of the bill or providing extra days in the hospital. The costs of these plans vary depending on the amount of coverage you select.

To find out more about plans in your area, use the https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx web tool.

Part D

There are many versions of the new Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Refer to this article devoted entirely to this topic: How to Choose a Medicare Drug Plan.