What if I do not have Medicare Part A -- should I sign up for Medicare Part B?

September 20, 2009 by admin

If you are not eligible for free Medicare Part A hospital insurance, you can buy Medicare Part B, without having to buy Part A, if you are:

• age 65 or older,
• a resident of the U.S., and
• a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien* who has lived in the U.S. continuously for the five year period immediately preceding the month of enrollment.

The Medicare Part B premiums are much less costly than the Medicare Part A hospital insurance premiums. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 for more information or to sign-up for Medicare. You can visit the Social Security web site . *A lawfully admitted alien is a permanent resident of the U.S. that has an I-155 card (sometimes called a "green card").