In general, you can enroll in a Medicare plan if you are 65 or older. However, many other factors determine whether an individual is eligible for Medicare. Here is how to determine if you are eligible to enroll in a Medicare plan.
Medicare Eligibility for People 65 or Older
You can start receiving premium-free Medicare Part A benefits once you reach 65 or if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters, or at least ten years, when working. You may be eligible for Medicare if you meet one of the following:
- You are eligible or currently receiving Social Security.
- You are eligible or currently receiving Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.
- You or your spouse worked in a Medicare-covered government job.
Medicare Eligibility for People Younger Than 65
You can also be eligible for Medicare due to disability or diseases. Some of the conditions under which you can qualify for Medicare benefits include:
- Disability: If you have been receiving Social Security disability for at least two years, you are eligible for Medicare benefits.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Those who have this disease are eligible for Medicare the first month they qualify to receive Social Security or RRB benefits. Moreover, if you have ALS, you don’t need a waiting period for Medicare coverage.
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD): To qualify for Medicare, you must require a kidney transplant or regular dialysis. If you are on dialysis, you can start getting Medicare coverage, starting from the first day of the 4th month of your dialysis treatment. However, if you are eligible for Medicare as the result of ESRD, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare because it’s not automatic.
Choosing a Medicare Coverage
If you need help choosing the right Medicare coverage or understand how it can work with your current health insurance, contact Simple Retirement Benefits. We have licensed Medicare health insurance experts ready to answer your Medicare eligibility questions and help choose the best plan for you.
