California Life and Health Insurance Practice Exam

At age 65, which of the following is available at no cost to all individuals?

1. Medicare Part B

2. Medicare Advantage

3. Medicare Part A

4. Medicaid

The correct answer is: Medicare Part A

Individuals are eligible for Medicare Part A at no cost when they reach 65 years of age, provided they or their spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for a sufficient period, typically 10 years. Medicare Part A covers essential hospital services, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. In contrast, while Medicare Part B, which covers medical services like doctor visits and outpatient care, requires a monthly premium, Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare plan offered by private companies that usually includes additional benefits but also typically comes with associated costs. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a state and federal program that provides assistance based on income and other criteria and may not be universally available at no cost to all individuals, as it varies significantly in terms of eligibility and coverage based on one's financial situation and state regulations. Thus, among the given options, Medicare Part A is the one that is available at no cost to most individuals once they reach 65.