Most people don't pay a monthly premium, because they already have paid Medicare taxes while working. But some people will have to pay a monthly Part A premium. Medicare Part A is free to people who have worked at least 40 calendar quarters of work in any U.S. job where they paid Social Security taxes or whose spouse qualified for premium-free Part A. Medicare Part A is also free to people eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits.
For those who must pay a premium for Part A, the amount of the monthly premium will depend on how many years they or their spouse worked in any U.S. job in which they paid Social Security taxes. If your client or client's spouse worked between 30 and 39 quarters (7.5 to 10 years), their Part A premium in 2019, for example, would be $240. If your client or client's spouse worked fewer than 30 quarters (7.5 years), their monthly premium would be $437 in 2019.
You don't have to know all the costs of Medicare. If your clients have questions about their Medicare costs, have them call the Licensed Insurance Agents at Medicare BackOffice at 1.877.385.8083.
