A person who has earned 40 or more quarters of coverage through paying Medicare payroll taxes qualifies for Medicare Part A on which basis?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Medicare Part A is premium-free for individuals who are fully insured, which generally means they have earned at least 40 quarters of coverage by paying Medicare payroll taxes during their working years. Workers who have fewer than 40 quarters may still enroll in Part A by paying a monthly premium: those with 30-39 quarters pay a reduced premium, and those with fewer than 30 quarters pay a higher premium. Premium-free status is the standard basis for hospital insurance at age 65, and it explains why Part A is described as the hospital coverage workers have already paid for through payroll taxes.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) Paying a monthly premium is required only for people with fewer than 40 quarters; the fully insured worker receives Part A free.
- C) Medigap is a supplemental policy sold by private insurers and is never a condition for receiving Part A.
- D) Eligible individuals typically enroll at age 65, not automatically at age 70; age 70 has no special Part A starting rule.
Memory hook
Forty quarters of payroll taxes unlock free Part A; fewer quarters means a premium.