Can you purchase Medicare without having enough working quarters?

If you do not sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 you may be charged late enrollment penalties if you sign up later. This is true even if you do not have enough work credits for premium-free Part 

• Qualify through a spouse's work record:
  • If your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you may be eligible for premium-free Part A if you are at least 62.
  • This can also apply if you are divorced, and were married for at least 10 years, or if you are a widow/widower and were married for at least 9 months.
• Purchase Medicare Part A:
  • If you or your spouse don't have enough work credits, you can still enroll in Medicare by paying a monthly premium for Part A.
  • The premium amount in 2025 varies depending on how many work credits you have, ranging from $285 to $518.
  • You must enroll in Medicare Part B separately, which has its own monthly premium.
• Disability eligibility:
  • If you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months, you are eligible for Medicare regardless of work history.
  • People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are also eligible for Medicare upon diagnosis or beginning benefits, respectively. 

• To determine eligibility based on a spouse, check with the Social Security Administration. You may need to visit a local office in person to provide documentation.
• To see if you can pay for Part A, contact the Social Security Administration or Medicare. You can also check your eligibility by logging into your My Social Security account. 

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