Part A is sometimes called “premium-free Part A” because most people do not have to pay a monthly premium for this coverage. To become eligible for premium-free Part A, you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working.

For those that are under 65 years old, another way to acquire premium-free Part A is by earning Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for two years. Those that are over 65 and get retirement benefits — or are eligible to receive these benefits but have yet to file for them — from these systems can also get premium-free Part A. Likewise, retired 65-year-olds can also qualify for premium-free Part A if they (or their spouse) had Medicare-covered government employment.