UNITED 2026 MEDICARE BASICS ASSESSMENT 2026 OFFICIAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER KEY (UPDATED)
SECTION 1: MEDICARE OVERVIEW AND ELIGIBILITY (Questions 1-20)
1. What is the minimum age at which most individuals become eligible for Medicare?
A) 62
B) 65
C) 67
D) 70
Answer: B) 65
Rationale: Most individuals become eligible for Medicare at age 65. This is the traditional
retirement age for Medicare eligibility, though certain individuals under 65 may qualify based
on disability or specific medical conditions.
2. Which of the following individuals would qualify for Medicare before age 65?
A) A person who has received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
B) A person with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
C) A person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Individuals under 65 may qualify for Medicare if they have received Social Security
disability benefits for 24 months, have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or have amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS beneficiaries are eligible immediately upon diagnosis without a
waiting period.
3. How long is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare?
A) 3 months
B) 5 months
C) 7 months
D) 12 months
,Answer: C) 7 months
Rationale: The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before
the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. This period
allows individuals to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B without penalty.
4. If an individual does not enroll in Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period and
does not have creditable coverage, what penalty may apply?
A) A one-time fee of $500
B) A 10% premium increase for each 12-month period they were eligible but not enrolled
C) A 20% premium increase for each year of delay
D) No penalty; they can enroll at any time
Answer: B) A 10% premium increase for each 12-month period they were eligible but not
enrolled
Rationale: The Part B late enrollment penalty is 10% of the standard Part B premium for each
full 12-month period that an individual was eligible for Part B but did not enroll, unless they had
creditable coverage. This penalty is permanent and added to the monthly premium.
5. What is the Part B late enrollment penalty based on for 2026?
A) The national base beneficiary premium of $38.99
B) The standard Part B premium of $202.90
C) A flat fee of $50 per month
D) The Part A premium amount
Answer: B) The standard Part B premium of $202.90
Rationale: The Part B late enrollment penalty is calculated as 10% of the standard Part B
premium ($202.90 in 2026) for each full 12-month period of delayed enrollment. The penalty is
added permanently to the monthly premium.
6. Which of the following is NOT a part of Medicare?
A) Part A – Hospital Insurance
B) Part B – Medical Insurance
C) Part C – Medicare Advantage
D) Part E – Extended Care Insurance
,Answer: D) Part E – Extended Care Insurance
Rationale: Medicare has four parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part
C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). There is no Part E.
7. Who administers the Medicare program?
A) The Social Security Administration (SSA)
B) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
C) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
D) The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Answer: B) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Rationale: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services, administers the Medicare program. CMS sets
premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts annually.
8. Medicare Part A is generally premium-free for most beneficiaries. What is the primary
requirement for premium-free Part A?
A) Being age 65 or older
B) Having paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years)
C) Being a U.S. citizen
D) Having a household income below $100,000
Answer: B) Having paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years)
Rationale: Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if they or their
spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 40 quarters (10 years). Those who have
paid fewer than 40 quarters may pay a premium for Part A.
9. What is the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B in 2026?
A) $185.00
B) $202.90
C) $215.50
D) $257.00
Answer: B) $202.90
, Rationale: The standard monthly Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90, which is an increase of
$17.90 (9.7%) from the 2025 premium of $185.00. This premium applies to most Part B
enrollees.
10. What is the annual deductible for Medicare Part B in 2026?
A) $257
B) $283
C) $300
D) $315
Answer: B) $283
Rationale: The annual deductible for Medicare Part B in 2026 is $283, an increase of $26 from
the 2025 deductible of $257. Beneficiaries must pay this amount out-of-pocket before Medicare
Part B begins to pay for covered services.
11. What is the Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible in 2026?
A) $1,676
B) $1,736
C) $1,800
D) $1,850
Answer: B) $1,736
Rationale: The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible for 2026 is $1,736, which is an
increase of $60 from the 2025 deductible of $1,676. This is the amount beneficiaries pay for
each benefit period before Medicare Part A begins to pay.
12. How many benefit periods can a Medicare beneficiary have?
A) Only one per lifetime
B) One per calendar year
C) There is no limit to the number of benefit periods
D) One per hospitalization
Answer: C) There is no limit to the number of benefit periods
QUESTIONS AND ANSWER KEY (UPDATED)
SECTION 1: MEDICARE OVERVIEW AND ELIGIBILITY (Questions 1-20)
1. What is the minimum age at which most individuals become eligible for Medicare?
A) 62
B) 65
C) 67
D) 70
Answer: B) 65
Rationale: Most individuals become eligible for Medicare at age 65. This is the traditional
retirement age for Medicare eligibility, though certain individuals under 65 may qualify based
on disability or specific medical conditions.
2. Which of the following individuals would qualify for Medicare before age 65?
A) A person who has received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
B) A person with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
C) A person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Individuals under 65 may qualify for Medicare if they have received Social Security
disability benefits for 24 months, have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or have amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS beneficiaries are eligible immediately upon diagnosis without a
waiting period.
3. How long is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare?
A) 3 months
B) 5 months
C) 7 months
D) 12 months
,Answer: C) 7 months
Rationale: The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before
the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. This period
allows individuals to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B without penalty.
4. If an individual does not enroll in Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period and
does not have creditable coverage, what penalty may apply?
A) A one-time fee of $500
B) A 10% premium increase for each 12-month period they were eligible but not enrolled
C) A 20% premium increase for each year of delay
D) No penalty; they can enroll at any time
Answer: B) A 10% premium increase for each 12-month period they were eligible but not
enrolled
Rationale: The Part B late enrollment penalty is 10% of the standard Part B premium for each
full 12-month period that an individual was eligible for Part B but did not enroll, unless they had
creditable coverage. This penalty is permanent and added to the monthly premium.
5. What is the Part B late enrollment penalty based on for 2026?
A) The national base beneficiary premium of $38.99
B) The standard Part B premium of $202.90
C) A flat fee of $50 per month
D) The Part A premium amount
Answer: B) The standard Part B premium of $202.90
Rationale: The Part B late enrollment penalty is calculated as 10% of the standard Part B
premium ($202.90 in 2026) for each full 12-month period of delayed enrollment. The penalty is
added permanently to the monthly premium.
6. Which of the following is NOT a part of Medicare?
A) Part A – Hospital Insurance
B) Part B – Medical Insurance
C) Part C – Medicare Advantage
D) Part E – Extended Care Insurance
,Answer: D) Part E – Extended Care Insurance
Rationale: Medicare has four parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part
C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). There is no Part E.
7. Who administers the Medicare program?
A) The Social Security Administration (SSA)
B) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
C) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
D) The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Answer: B) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Rationale: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services, administers the Medicare program. CMS sets
premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts annually.
8. Medicare Part A is generally premium-free for most beneficiaries. What is the primary
requirement for premium-free Part A?
A) Being age 65 or older
B) Having paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years)
C) Being a U.S. citizen
D) Having a household income below $100,000
Answer: B) Having paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years)
Rationale: Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if they or their
spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 40 quarters (10 years). Those who have
paid fewer than 40 quarters may pay a premium for Part A.
9. What is the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B in 2026?
A) $185.00
B) $202.90
C) $215.50
D) $257.00
Answer: B) $202.90
, Rationale: The standard monthly Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90, which is an increase of
$17.90 (9.7%) from the 2025 premium of $185.00. This premium applies to most Part B
enrollees.
10. What is the annual deductible for Medicare Part B in 2026?
A) $257
B) $283
C) $300
D) $315
Answer: B) $283
Rationale: The annual deductible for Medicare Part B in 2026 is $283, an increase of $26 from
the 2025 deductible of $257. Beneficiaries must pay this amount out-of-pocket before Medicare
Part B begins to pay for covered services.
11. What is the Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible in 2026?
A) $1,676
B) $1,736
C) $1,800
D) $1,850
Answer: B) $1,736
Rationale: The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible for 2026 is $1,736, which is an
increase of $60 from the 2025 deductible of $1,676. This is the amount beneficiaries pay for
each benefit period before Medicare Part A begins to pay.
12. How many benefit periods can a Medicare beneficiary have?
A) Only one per lifetime
B) One per calendar year
C) There is no limit to the number of benefit periods
D) One per hospitalization
Answer: C) There is no limit to the number of benefit periods
