A: Medicare is health insurance program from the U.S. Government for people age 65 and older. Some adults under age 65 are also eligible, if they have certain disabilities.
Medicare Part A covers hospitalization, some home health care, in-patient therapy, dialysis and durable medical equipment.Medicare Part A is free for most people. People without enough work credits can purchase Medicare Part A.
Medicare Part B is for outpatient care. It covers your medical visits. Medicare Part B is voluntary, and patients must pay a monthly premium as well as co-pays and deductibles. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may not have to pay out-of-pocket costs or deductibles.
Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription medications. Each plan has its own formulary of medications. Medicare Part D is voluntary, and patients must pay a monthly premium as well as co-pays and deductibles. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a plan from a private insurance company. It combines Medicare Parts A, B and D into one plan. Some plans offer extra benefits, such as hearing, vision or dental care. Many insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans.
When you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to choose your plan wisely, so you can get medical care where you want to and the medications you take are covered. Patients on Medicare Advantage plans must use services within their chosen network or they will have to pay an out-of-network fee.
A: Someone can get for Medicare if they are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years. You (or a spouse) must have paid into Social Security for 40 quarters (10 years) of work to qualify for Medicare.
A: If you qualify for Medi-Cal, your out-of-pocket costs will likely be very low. You may not have to pay anything at all, depending on a few factors. If you are not eligible for Medi-Cal, you will have to pay monthly premiums, co-pays, deductibles, prescription medication costs.
A: If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you will be enrolled automatically in Parts A and B. If not, you need to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is 3 months before to 3 months after your 65th birthday.
Please note: for people born in 1960 or later, the age to receive full Social Security retirement benefits changed to age 67 in 2025. You still become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Even if you decide to delay taking retirement benefits until after age 65, you should still apply for Medicare Part A within 3 months of your 65th birthday. If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money.
A: If you don’t enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you may face:
Late enrollment penalties:
Part B (medical coverage): Your monthly premium may increase by 10% for each full year you delayed, and you’ll pay this extra amount for life.
Part D (prescription coverage): You may pay an additional penalty each month if you go 63+ days without drug coverage.
Coverage delays: If you miss your IEP, you can only sign up during the General Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31), and coverage won’t begin until July 1—leaving you uninsured in the meantime.
Out-of-pocket costs: Without Medicare or other qualifying insurance, you’ll be responsible for the full cost of medical services.
Exception: If you have coverage through your or your spouse’s current employer, you may wait to sign up. But once that job insurance ends, you must enroll within 8 months to avoid late fees.