What Is Medicare Tax and How Much Do You Have To Pay?
The Medicare tax gets taken directly from your paycheck. This tax pays for Medicare Part A (hospital care) and is typically 1.45% of your... Read More
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Medicare is government health insurance for people 65 or older, as well as younger people with certain disabilities.
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Learn about the different types of Medicare insurance policies
Medicare can be broken down into four different types of coverage.
The main types of Medicare coverage you can get are:
Original Medicare
-
Parts A and B: Basic medical benefits
- Part D: Add-on prescription coverage
- Medigap: Add-on medical benefits
Medicare Advantage
- Part C: Includes Parts A and B and usually comes with coverage for prescriptions. Most plans also include vision, dental and hearing.
Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Also known as hospital insurance, Part A covers care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice care and, in some cases, home health care. The government provides the coverage, which means the benefits are the same no matter where you live. If you worked for more than 10 years, you'll probably get Part A for free.
You don't need to make any coverage decisions or choose any plans with Part A. Medicare Part A is free for 99% of enrollees. The most important thing to remember is to enroll on time to avoid penalties. For most people, you get coverage when you turn 65.
Guide to Medicare
1. How old do you have to be to get Medicare?
Generally, you must be 65 or older in order to get Medicare. However, some younger people with certain disabilities can also qualify for Medicare.
Medicare Eligibility Calculator
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Note that your enrollment period may differ if you currently have a disability or have certain medical conditions.
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2. How do I sign up for Medicare?
There are a couple of ways to sign up for Medicare. If you apply for retirement or disability benefits through Social Security, the process includes an application for Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
You can also put in an application on the Social Security Administration website. You can get Medicare Parts C and D at Medicare.gov.
You need to have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a Medicare account number to sign up for Part C or D.
You can also apply for Medicare by calling 1-800-772-1213.
3. What documents do I need to apply for Medicare?
You will likely need your birth certificate and a U.S. driver's license or passport. You'll also need your Social Security number, current health insurance info, tax records (W-2) and military service records, if you were a member of the military.
Medicare costs in 2026
How much you pay for Medicare depends on the type of plan you have. Each plan comes with different costs.
Original Medicare
- Part A: Free for most people
- Part B: $185/month
Medicare Advantage
- Part A: Free for most people
- Part B: $185/month
- Part C: $27/month
Original Medicare add-ons
- Part D: $62/month
- Medigap: $180/month for Plan G
For example, if you have Original Medicare plus Medigap Plan G and a Part D plan, you'll pay an average rate of $427 per month. But if you have a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you'll pay an average of $212 per month.
Medicare eligibility age chart
If you were born in 1961, you'll be eligible for Medicare in 2026 when you turn 65.
Medicare eligibility always starts when you turn 65. However, the age requirement for retirement benefits from Social Security varies. You can start getting partial Social Security benefits at age 62.
The full retirement age is between 66 and 67 years old, depending on the year you were born. That means you'll qualify for Medicare for one to two years before you start getting full retirement benefits.
Birth year | Medicare eligibility | Full Social Security eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 2026 | 2028 |
| 1962 | 2027 | 2029 |
| 1963 | 2028 | 2030 |
| 1964 | 2029 | 2031 |
| 1965 | 2030 | 2032 |
| 1966 | 2031 | 2033 |
| 1967 | 2032 | 2034 |
| 1968 | 2033 | 2035 |
| 1969 | 2034 | 2036 |
| 1970 | 2035 | 2037 |
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans bundle your Original Medicare — Parts A and B — together into one plan. These plans also usually include extra benefits, like coverage for hearing, dental and vision care. Some plans include perks like a gym membership, a meal delivery program and coverage for over-the-counter health supplies like bandages.
Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Part C plans. These plans can be convenient, but they come with serious drawbacks. For example, you'll have to stay within a network of doctors, and you might not have any coverage if you go outside the network. If you stick with Original Medicare, you'll have the ability to see most doctors in your area.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medigap gives you coverage for things not covered by Medicare Parts A and B, like deductibles, coinsurance and out-of-pocket costs. Also called Medicare Supplement, it's a supplemental health insurance plan that you can add to Original Medicare.
Depending on the plan you buy, Medigap pays for most or all of your remaining medical bills after Original Medicare pays. That means you don't have to pay much, if anything, for most medical care.
Helpful guides to Medicare
Read the latest updates on Medicare
Cost of Medicare Part B in 2026 and How It Works
In 2026, Medicare Part B costs $202.90 per month. Part B covers medical care for doctor visits, tests and... Read More
How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2026?
The cost for Medicare depends on your plan and situation. In 2026, most enrollees will pay $203 for Medicare Part B and $27 per month for... Read More
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Which Is Best?
Medicare Advantage plans work best for people who want bundled services at a low cost. Consider a Medigap plan if you prioritize... Read More
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?
Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan because it offers the best coverage for most Medicare. A Plan G policy costs $180 per... Read More
What Is the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in 2026?
AARP/UnitedHealthcare has the best Medicare Advantage plans for 2026. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best doctor network, and Devoted... Read More
Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans for 2026
Plan G is the best Medicare Supplement plan because of its good benefits. The best Medigap company is AARP/UnitedHealthcare, which has... Read More
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What's the Difference?
Medicare and Medicaid are both government health insurance programs. Medicare generally covers seniors, while Medicaid covers people with... Read More
Medicare Supplement Plan F: Costs, Coverage and Why It's Great
Medicare Plan F is a Medigap policy that gives you the best benefits, eliminating all of your costs for doctors or hospitalization. But it... Read More
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Medicare at age 62?
No, you can't get Medicare at age 62 unless you have kidney failure (end-stage renal disease) or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease), or you've gotten Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for 24 months. Early retirees can get coverage through HealthCare.gov or their state's health exchange. Medicaid is an option if you have a low income.
How can I retire at 62 and get health insurance?
If you retire at age 62, you may be able to get cheap coverage through HealthCare.gov or your state health marketplace. You could also be eligible for free government health insurance, called Medicaid, if you make roughly $22,000 per year or less as a single person.
Does everyone have to pay $202.90 a month for Medicare?
Medicare Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026, and most people pay this amount. You might pay more if you make more than $109,000 per year. Medicare Part A generally doesn't have a monthly rate, although you could pay for Part A if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for fewer than 10 years.
Methodology
Medicare Advantage and Part D rates come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, while Medigap rates are from actuarial data for private insurance companies. Original Medicare rates are for 2025, while Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap rates are for 2026.
Medicare Advantage
Rates are for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage. Special needs plans, sanctioned plans, PACE plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), Medicare medical savings account (MSA) plans and employer-sponsored plans are not included in ValuePenguin's cost analysis. Rates also exclude U.S. territories.
Medicare Part D
Part D rates are averages for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but exclude U.S. territories.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Rates are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke and who purchased a plan when she was first eligible, before medical history is factored into the cost for a plan. Select plans, as well as the unique Medigap plans in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, are not included in the average rates.
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Invitations for application for insurance may be made through QW Insurance Solutions, LLC ("QWIS"), a separate subsidiary of QuoteWizard, LLC ("QuoteWizard"), a LendingTree subsidiary, or through its designated agents, only where licensed and appointed. QWIS is a nongovernment licensed health insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Find licensing information for QWIS.
Callers will be directed to a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Supplement insurance and/or Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations. Calls will be routed to a licensed insurance agent who can provide you with further information about the insurance plans offered by one or more nationally recognized insurance companies. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.
Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location and may be limited to certain times of the year, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 73 organizations that offer 5,110 products in your area. Contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options.
These numbers provided are not specific to your area, but rather represent the number of organizations and the number of products available on a national basis. We will connect you with licensed insurance agents who can provide information about the number of organizations they represent and the number of products they offer in your service area. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information contained on this website.
Medicare Supplement insurance is available to people age 65 or older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and in some states to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or end-stage renal disease.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits are offered by these carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aspire Health Plan, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corp., Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare and WellPoint.
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About the Author
Stephanie Guinan
Analyst
Stephanie Guinan is an Analyst for ValuePenguin/LendingTree. She specializes in simplifying complex insurance topics for consumers.
She’s also worked as an award-winning data journalist and content marketing writer. Stephanie’s work has been cited by Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Rolling Stone and more.
Expertise
- Health insurance and Medicare
- Home and auto insurance
- Crunching numbers
Referenced by
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Times
- Rolling Stone
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