Number to call medicare — Long Beach, CA

Medicare isn't entirely free. While Medicare Part A often comes with no premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a sufficient time, Medicare Part B and Part D typically have monthly premiums. These costs can also be adjusted based on your income. We can help you understand your potential costs.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older. It also covers younger people with certain disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare helps pay for medically necessary services and supplies, covering hospital stays, doctor visits, and more.

Medicare typically doesn't cover services like long-term custodial care, most dental procedures, routine vision exams for eyeglasses, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, and acupuncture. These exclusions mean you might need supplemental insurance to cover these needs. It's important to be aware of these gaps.

The primary requirements for Medicare eligibility are being 65 years or older and being a U.S. citizen or having been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. Younger individuals can qualify if they have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months or have End-Stage Renal Disease. Meeting these criteria is essential.

Your monthly Medicare expenses will vary based on which parts of Medicare you enroll in and your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). While Part A is often premium-free, Part B and Part D have monthly premiums that can be higher for individuals with higher incomes. We can provide a personalized cost estimate.

This amount can change annually, and your actual premium might be different. Individuals with higher incomes pay more through an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). We can help clarify your specific costs.