Dear Toni: I am not sure if I have enrolled in Medicare the right way because I am being charged a premium of $768 a month beginning June 1. (I turn 65 on June 14.) My friend Sue told me that I am being overcharged because she is paying $202.90 a month. I followed how she enrolled in Medicare by going online. I am not sure if I did this correctly because the invoice says that I owe $565 for Part A and $202.90 for Part B.
My husband, Jeff, was laid off in March and he lost his employer benefits. Jeff doesn’t turn 65 until next year, so he has applied for an individual plan on healthcare.gov and I applied for Medicare.
I have not worked full time since we married 35 years ago, and Medicare said that is my issue because I didn’t have enough years of work history. The Medicare agent advised me to visit my local Social Security office with my husband and to bring information to show that we have been married and that Jeff has worked at least 10 years.
What should I do to correct my Medicare mistake? — Ivette, Little Rock, Ark.
Dear Ivette: Many Americans enrolling in Medicare are not aware that they must work a certain amount of time and pay employment taxes to receive $0 premium Medicare Part A. Ivette, this is most likely the cause of your problem.
To qualify for Medicare Part A at no cost, you must have worked and paid Social Security and Medicare taxes from your payroll check for at least 10 years, or 40 quarters. For 2026, if you paid Medicare taxes for 30 to 39 quarters, then the standard Part A premium is $311 each month. If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the premium for Medicare Part A is $565 each month.
Those who do not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A but have been married for at least 10 years to someone who has met the 10 years/40 quarters requirement should apply for Medicare under their working spouse’s Social Security number.
Ivette, visit or contact your local Social Security office. Ask for help in appealing your Part A premium of $565, because you have not worked enough quarters to qualify, but your husband, Jeff, has.
Social Security will look over Jeff’s Social Security accounts and verify with the IRS that he has enough quarters to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. Be prepared to provide a certified marriage license (not a copy).
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664.
