Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of Medicare Part B is $104.90 per month. This amount is automatically deducted from your Social Security Income.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) may deem you qualified for the Extra Help program. Extra Help assists with prescription drug costs. If you automatically qualify for Extra Help, the SSA will enroll you into a Prescription Drug Plan with a private insurance company.

For more information about this topic, please visit our Extra Help page.

Your Medicare Card may have two separate dates for Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A refers to hospital coverage benefits and typically has no monthly premium. Medicare Part B provides medical coverage benefits and, for most recipients, has a monthly premium of $104.90. You cannot use your card for medical services, such as doctor’s appointments or urgent care, until you reach your Part B effective date.

Typically, you receive your card approximately three months before your Medicare Part B coverage takes effect. If you have not received your card or may have lost it, call (800) 633-4227 to request a new one.

Yes, you can. However, once your Medicare Part A becomes effective, you will lose any of the premium tax credits or reduced cost sharing you previously had.

You probably cannot get lower AFA premium costs based on your income, so it is usually a better option to cancel your plan once Medicare coverage begins.

Depending on income levels, some individuals waiting on their Medicare effective date will automatically qualify for Medicaid.

For those that don’t qualify, you may be eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act with premium tax credits and reduced cost sharing.

The start date of your coverage will depend on when your Onset Date of Disability was determined to be with Medicare.

This date is typically 29 months after your onset date. The time includes a five-month waiting period between your onset date and the start of your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, followed by another 24 months of receiving those payments before reaching your Medicare effective date.

For those diagnosed with ALS or ESRD, benefits will begin as soon as you receive your SSDI payments.

You will have already completed the standard waiting period for Medicare. Typically you will receive your Medicare card within 30 days of receiving your NOA.