Can you go on Medicare without drawing Social Security?

Yes, you can get Medicare without collecting Social Security retirement benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for Medicare only, often during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around age 65, even if you're still working or not ready for monthly cash payments. You must proactively sign up for Medicare through the SSA; you won't be automatically enrolled like those already receiving Social Security, and you'll pay premiums for Part B (and potentially Part A if you don't qualify for premium-free).

How do I pay for Medicare if I am not drawing Social Security?

If you're not collecting Social Security but have Medicare (especially Part B), you pay directly via mailed bills (CMS-500), using bank online bill pay, Medicare Easy Pay, phone, or by setting up automatic deductions from a checking/savings account or annuity, as premiums aren't withheld from benefits you aren't receiving. 

Can you start Medicare without taking Social Security?

If you are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits at age 65, you can sign up for Part A and Part B. You can do so during the seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65. This period includes the month you turn 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65.

What are the three requirements for Medicare?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

• Be age 65 or older;
• Be a U.S. resident; AND.
• Be either a U.S. citizen, OR.
• Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

Can You Get Medicare Without Social Security Benefits?

Is it better to go on Medicare or stay on private insurance?

Neither Medicare nor private insurance is universally "better"; the best choice depends on individual needs, but Medicare often offers lower overall costs and simplicity for seniors, while private insurance excels in covering dependents and potentially offering more choice with networks/out-of-pocket caps, though at higher premiums. Medicare boasts lower admin costs and standardized coverage, but Original Medicare lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, a feature typically found in private plans and Medicare Advantage (Part C). 

What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam?

For a Medicare Wellness Exam's cognitive test, the three common words to remember are often "banana," "sunrise," and "chair," used in the Mini-Cog screening to check your memory and thinking skills; you say them immediately and then recall them after a few minutes. 

What disqualifies a person from Medicare?

You can be disqualified from Medicare if you aren't a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, lack sufficient work history for premium-free Part A, fail to sign up on time (incurring penalties), have serious criminal issues (like healthcare fraud), or if you move out of the country, though eligibility is primarily tied to age (65+), disability, or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $565 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($202.90 in 2026).

What are the 5 things Medicare does not cover?

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn't cover most dental, vision (like glasses/contacts), hearing aids, routine foot care, and long-term custodial care, plus many alternative therapies, cosmetic surgeries, and prescription drugs (without Part D). You'll need supplemental plans (like Medigap or Part C) or separate insurance for these common needs. 

How do I enroll in Medicare for the first time?

Online (at Social Security) – It's the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. (You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.) Contact your local Social Security office.

What happens if you opt out of Social Security?

Opting out of Social Security means you stop paying the payroll tax, giving you more take-home pay but also forfeiting federal retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, plus Medicare eligibility, requiring you to build a complete private safety net (savings, insurance) to replace these crucial protections, which can be costly and complex to replicate. While some government/religious jobs offer alternative pensions (like 403b matches) for opting out, for most, it means losing guaranteed income for old age, disability, and support for your family if you pass away. 

Why would a person not be eligible for Medicare?

You can be disqualified from Medicare if you aren't a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, lack sufficient work history for premium-free Part A, fail to sign up on time (incurring penalties), have serious criminal issues (like healthcare fraud), or if you move out of the country, though eligibility is primarily tied to age (65+), disability, or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 

Can I get Medicare without collecting my Social Security?

Yes, you can get Medicare without collecting Social Security retirement benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for Medicare only, often during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around age 65, even if you're still working or not ready for monthly cash payments. You must proactively sign up for Medicare through the SSA; you won't be automatically enrolled like those already receiving Social Security, and you'll pay premiums for Part B (and potentially Part A if you don't qualify for premium-free). 

How long does it take to get approved for Medicare?

Your Medicare Approval During Your Initial Enrollment Period

Although many beneficiaries become eligible during this period, it can still take about 2-6 weeks to approve your Medicare application. Since your local Social Security office processes your Medicare application, approval times can vary.

How much is Medicare if you never worked?

Help paying for Medicare if you've never worked

If you don't get Medicare Part A for free, paying for Part A and Part B can cost a lot. Here's what you might need to pay each month without help: Part A premium: $285 or $518. Part B premium: $185.

What Medicare is free for seniors?

Part A is free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You may also be eligible because of your current or former spouse's work.

What happens if I can't afford to pay for Medicare?

If you can't afford to pay your Medicare premiums and other medical costs, you may be able to get help from your state. States offer Medicare Savings Programs for people entitled to Medicare who have limited income. Some programs may pay for Medicare premiums and some pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

How much money can you have in the bank when you are on Medicare?

Medicare itself doesn't have a bank account limit, but if you need help paying costs through Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), asset limits apply (around $9,660 for individuals, $14,470 for couples in 2025) for programs like QMB, SLMB, and QI, though California eliminated asset tests for its state-run MSPs. These limits cover countable assets like savings, but your primary home and one car usually don't count. 

What are reasons you can be denied Medicare?

One of the most common reasons for denial is a lack of medical documentation that proves your disability meets Social Security's strict criteria.

• Missing treatment records.
• No documentation of how the disability impacts your ability to work.
• Lack of recent medical updates.

What is the 5 word test for dementia?

The five-word test for dementia is a quick screening tool where a person recalls five simple, unrelated words (like "apple," "chair," "river," "book," "dog") after a short distraction, assessing short-term memory and cognitive function to help spot early signs of memory loss or dementia. It involves presenting words, asking for immediate repetition, distracting with another task, then asking for delayed recall, revealing deficits in encoding, storage, or retrieval.
 

What does a Medicare exam consist of?

At your Medicare annual wellness visit, your health care provider will: Review your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).

Can you refuse a Medicare memory test?

As a Medicare beneficiary, you have the legal right to refuse a Medicare wellness visit. These visits are designed to help you stay healthy by creating a personalized prevention plan, but participation is entirely voluntary.