Medicare eligibility determination is done by which entity?

• A. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• B. US Department of Health & Human Services
• C. Federal Insurance Contributions Agency
• D. Social Security Administration

Answer: (D)

Medicare eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration. SSA handles the qualification process for most people—based on age or disability—and coordinates enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B, including automatic enrollment for those already receiving Social Security benefits at age 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services runs the program’s administration and benefits, but it does not decide who qualifies. FICA is the payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare, not an agency that makes eligibility determinations. The Department of Health and Human Services oversees CMS and related programs, but the actual eligibility decision rests with SSA.