Medicare covers beneficiaries who ________________________ and have elected to pay a premium for coverage.

• A. are entitled to Social Security
• B. are entitled to Railroad Retirement
• C. have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• D. All of these are correct

Answer: (D)

Medicare eligibility hinges on how you’re connected to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, or on certain medical conditions, and you enroll by paying the required premium for coverage. People who are entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits generally receive Part A automatically, and Part B requires paying the monthly premium to obtain the medical coverage. Those with end-stage renal disease qualify for Medicare coverage as well, and they enroll by paying the Part B premium to get outpatient services. Since all three routes can lead to Medicare enrollment with the premium for Part B, all of these statements describe ways someone can become covered.