Due to liability insurance reasons, I can not respond to
individual requests for information/advice unless you have a contract for
services with our organization. Here is the citation that many of you have
requested from me privately. It is from the new CMS Electronic Manual System
Publication 100-1 Benefits and Eligibility
Theresa Lang
Specialized
Medical Services, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
10.2 - Hospital Insurance for the Aged
- (Rev. 1, 09-11-02)
To be eligible for HI on the basis of age, a
person must be age 65 or older and either eligible for monthly social security
or railroad retirement cash benefits, or would be eligible for such benefits if
the worker's Government QCs were regular social security QCs. An individual who
is insured for monthly benefits need not actually file for benefits to receive
HI benefits. If such a person continues to work beyond age 65, he or she may
instead elect to file an application for HI only.
Premium-free HI for the aged begins with the month in
which the individual attains age 65, provided he or she files an application for
HI or for cash benefits and HI within 6 months of the month in which he or she
attains age 65. If the application is filed later than that,
HI entitlement can be retroactive for only 6 months. An individual attains age
65 on the day before his or her 65th birthday. For example, if an individual is
born on August 1, the attainment date is July 31, and HI begins with July 1.
Entitlement generally does not end until death.
