The number of credits does not affect the amount of benefits you receive. We use the number of credits you've earned to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits, Medicare, and your family's eligibility for survivors benefits. We cannot pay benefits to you if you don't have enough credits.
Enough Work Credits
If you do not qualify for Medicare based on your own or your spouse's work record but are a U.S. citizen or have been a legal resident for at least five years, you can still get full Medicare benefits at age 65 or older by buying into them.
Why might a person not be eligible for Medicare Part A? A person must be age 65 years or older to qualify for Medicare Part A. Unless they meet other requirements, such as a qualifying disability, they cannot get Medicare Part A benefits before this age.
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
If you don't get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), you'll get a premium bill from Medicare. Get a sample of the Medicare bill. Why is my first bill higher than I expected? An extra amount you pay in addition to your Part D plan premium, if your income is above a certain amount.
eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.
Reasons for Medicare coverage denial
A person has a Medicare Advantage plan, and they use a doctor who is outside of the plan network. The Medicare Part D prescription drug plan's formulary does not include the medication. The beneficiary has reached the maximum number of allowed days in a hospital or care facility.
To qualify to get $144 added back to your Social Security check, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a Part B premium reduction or giveback benefit.
You currently have fewer than the 40 credits needed to become fully insured for retirement benefits. You can still earn credits and become fully insured if you work. We cannot pay you benefits if you don't have enough credits.
People age 65 or older, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, are eligible for Medicare Part A. You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
The spouse of a Medicare plan holder becomes eligible for their own plan when they turn 65 years old, even if they never worked outside the home. This is because they qualify based on their spouse's work record. If a Medicare enrollee's spouse has a disability, they may qualify at a younger age.
Once a person turns 65, they can enroll in Medicare even if they do not have the required 40 work credits to receive Social Security benefits. However, there may be additional costs, including Part A premiums.
You cannot get more credits by voluntarily contributing money to Social Security.
But even if you never worked and therefore don't have an earnings record, you're not necessarily out of luck. If you're married (or were married) to someone who's entitled to Social Security, you can collect spousal benefits equal to 50% of your husband or wife's benefits at full retirement age.
Can Doctors Refuse Medicare? The short answer is "yes." Thanks to the federal program's low reimbursement rates, stringent rules, and grueling paperwork process, many doctors are refusing to accept Medicare's payment for services. Medicare typically pays doctors only 80% of what private health insurance pays.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Visit Medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/medicare-forms for appeals forms. Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, personalized health insurance counseling, including help with appeals.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)
This program helps to pay premiums for Part B. A single person can qualify in 2024 with an income up to $1,526 per month. A couple can qualify with a combined income of $2,064 per month. The asset limits are $9,430 for an individual and $14,130 for a couple.
If you have Medicare Part B medical insurance, your premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security check and your monthly premiums are based on your income. Most Part B enrollees will have $185 deducted from their Social Security each month in 2025. The amount increases if you have a high income.
Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older. You may be able to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease). Medicare has four parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Medicare examines your bank accounts and other assets when you seek financial help with Medicare costs. However, eligibility criteria and verification procedures differ by state of residence. In certain states, there are no asset limits for Medicare savings programs.
The medically needy asset limit is $3,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple. 2) Asset Spend Down – Persons who have countable assets over MN Medicaid's limit can still become asset-eligible by “spending down” extra assets on non-countable ones.