A person who has fewer than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered work may enroll in Medicare Part A by:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Part A is premium-free for individuals who are fully insured through 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Those who paid Medicare taxes for 30 to 39 quarters may buy Part A at a reduced monthly premium, while those with fewer than 30 quarters pay a higher monthly premium for the same coverage. The three-tier structure, free for 40+ quarters, reduced for 30 to 39, and highest for under 30, is the exact fact tested on the A&H exam. No one receives Part A without satisfying the work-credit or premium-paying requirements, and the tiers are keyed to work credits, not to age alone.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) A premium-free Part A is available only to those with 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered work. A person with fewer than 30 quarters must pay the highest tier of monthly premium.
- C) The premium for 30 to 39 quarters is lower than the premium for fewer than 30 quarters. The two paid tiers are different and keyed to the number of work credits.
- D) Medicare entitlement does not arrive automatically at age 62 for the uninsured. Premium-paying enrollment and the work-credit tiers govern how Part A is obtained.
Memory hook
Part A price tag: 40+ quarters free, 30-39 cheap, under 30 expensive.