Medicare

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a nationwide health insurance program run by the federal government. You can qualify for Medicare if you are age 65 or older and/or if you have certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease (ERSD).

Medicare has four parts:

Part A

• Hospital Insurance
• Inpatient care in a hospital
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Hospice care
• Some home health care

Part B

• Medical Insurance
• Doctors' visits and other services outside of a hospital
• Home health care
• Durable medical equipment, like a wheelchair
• Limited prescription drugs

Part C

• Medicare Advantage Plans 
• Hospital and medical care (Part A & B)
• Prescription drugs (usually)
• Other benefits and services at an extra cost (usually)

Part D

• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Prescription drugs not covered under Part B

Who is Eligible?

• People 65 and older
• People with permanent disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (after a two-year waiting period)
• People with End-Stage Renal Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (no waiting period)

**Note:** Most people don't pay a premium for Part A: Hospital Insurance because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.

Financial Help

If you have low income, you may qualify for:

Medicaid

Additional insurance to pay medical costs
Learn more about Medicaid

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Help to pay Medicare premiums and/or cost sharing like copays and deductibles (If you are disabled and working, you may qualify for a special MSP)
Learn more about MSP

Extra Help

Help to pay prescription drug costs
Learn more about extra help

For more information and to apply:

• Get free, in-person help to apply. Learn about our Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Disabled and Blind Program.
• Find In-Person Help.
• Call the HRA Helpline: 888-692-6113
• Visit a NYC HRA Medicaid Office

How to Apply

• You will automatically get Medicare if you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits and you (a) turn 65 or (b) you've received disability benefits for 24 months.
• If you are not automatically enrolled, you will need to sign up. You may be charged a late fee if you don't sign up for Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance when you are eligible.

Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) and say "Agent" to ask questions or apply. (TTY: 877-486-2048)

Visit the Social Security enrollment page to apply online

Helpful Links

• Medicare.gov
• HIICAP NYC
  Department for the Aging program offering free, in-person or phone health insurance help for older adults in NYC
  Telephone: 212-341-3978
• Medicare Rights Center
  a national, nonprofit consumer service organization.  
  Telephone: 800-333-4114
• Social Security Administration (SSA) Medicare
  Telephone: 800-772-1213
• CMS.Gov
  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services