Am I eligible for Medicare?
Medicare is the United States health insurance program for people age 65 or older, and those under 65 in certain circumstances. Those qualified for Medicare must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident who has lived in the United States for five years or more. Medicare helps with the cost of health care but does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
If you currently receive Social Security benefits, you’ll get Medicare Part A and Part B automatically when you are eligible and do not need to sign up. Medicare will send you a Welcome packet three months before you turn 65. However, you will still have to adhere to other Medicare deadlines, so thoroughly ensure you read your welcome packet.
What qualifies you for Medicare if you are under the age of 65?
If you are under the age of 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you meet specific criteria:
- You are permanently disabled and have been getting Social Security disability income benefits for 24 months
- You have End-Stage Renal Disease that requires you to get dialysis or are waiting for a kidney transplant
- You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease