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How Medicare Is Financed By The Social Security Administration

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How Medicare is financed
Medicare is funded by the Social Security Administration, which means it’s generally financed by taxpayers. Payroll taxes paid by most employers, employees, and people who are self-employed help finance Medicare. There are 4 parts of Medicare, each part is funded differently. Part A, the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust fund is paid by taxpayers. Employees pay 1.45% of their earning into the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which goes into the trust fund. Employers pay an additional 1.45% into FICA. Those who are self-employed pay 2.9% towards FICA. Individuals making $200,000 or more and couples making 250,000 or more pay a higher percentage of 2.35% into the Health Insurance Trust Fund. The …show more content…

The remaining balance of 74.5 percent for the cost is funded by Medicare. Once more, higher-income beneficiaries will pay a larger share of the cost of regular drug coverage.

Eligibility for Medicare
Medicare coverage is available for most people who are 65 years old or older. Individuals may find that Medicare offers better coverage at a lower cost than the coverage they had previously (CPA Client Bulletin, 2012). However, a person is automatically permitted to Part A, if the participant or their spouse are eligible for Social Security payments and have made payroll tax contributions for more than 10 years. To be eligible, the person must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. There are no income or asset tests, and the participant qualifies without concern of their medical history or preexisting conditions. Participants do not pay premiums for covered services under Medicare Part A. However, if an individual is 65 years old or older, and has not paid enough Medicare taxes for more than 10 years, they pay a monthly premium to receive Part A coverage.
Specific groups of people who are not 65 are also eligible for Medicare. Adults under the age of 65 with permanent disabilities are eligible for Medicare after receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for 2 years. Adults with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) disease are likewise eligible for Medicare benefits. Coverage

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