Medicare Income Qualification Guidelines

Medicare is designed to provide health insurance to people 65 and older; people under 65 who have certain disabilities; and people of any age who have end-stage renal disease, where the kidneys have failed permanently and need dialysis or a kidney transplant, according to the Medicare website.

Part A

• Medicare Part A

  Medicare Part A is to help cover inpatient hospital costs, skilled nursing facilities and home health care, along with hospices. To be eligible for Part A insurance you must have 40 credits of Medicare coverage from your employer. With less than 40 credits, there is a buy-in option that charges $254 per month for a policy for 30 to 39 credits. For less than 30 credits, the premium is $461 per month as of 2010, according to the government programs website. Part A eligibility is not determined by income.

Part B

• Medicare Part B

  Part B covers doctor's services and some preventive care. On the Medicare website, monthly premiums for Part B are broken down according to income levels. According to the Medicare website, policy premiums are based on single income, joint income, and the income of married persons who file separate returns.

Part C

• Medicare Part C

  Part C is privatized insurance that has been approved by Medicare. This insurance adds prescription drug coverage. For Medicare Part C, or Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B, according to the Medicare website. Since you must choose which type of coverage you would like and in many cases pay an additional fee, there are no income requirements for C.