Can a person who doesn’t qualify for Medicare purchase the coverage?
Any person who has (or whose spouse has) worked and paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters is eligible for premium-free Part A, hospital insurance.
However, those individuals who did not work enough quarters can still purchase Part A if they are age 65 or older and meet the citizenship or residency requirements. (Those under 65 years of age have other criteria.)
In 2024, the monthly premium for Part A is $505 for those who worked fewer than 30 quarters, and $278 for those with 30-39 quarters of Medicare-eligible employment. Those who purchase Part A must also enroll in and pay for Part B, medical insurance.
Those who purchase Part A are then eligible to get other parts of Medicare, such as prescription drug coverage.
Last updated: 02-27-2024