Am I Eligible for Medicare Insurance?

Once you have a foundational understanding of the four parts of the Medicare program, the only question that remains is: do you qualify for Medicare insurance?

Isn’t It Based on Age?

There are actually a few boxes you can tick to be eligible for Medicare insurance. The first is to be 65 or older. This is the simplest way to qualify for Medicare enrollment. All you need is patience.

I’m Not 65. Does That Mean I Can’t Enroll?

No, that’s not always the case. While being 65 is the most common way to qualify, it’s not the only one. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare once you reach the 25th month of receiving SSDI checks. One exception, which begins your eligibility immediately, is if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS.

You’re also eligible for Medicare if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and are undergoing dialysis treatments or receiving a kidney transplant.

Are There Other Criteria?

Other factors affect what you’ll pay for your coverage. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes during at least 10 years of work, you usually won’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. If you don’t have enough work credits, you can still get Medicare, but you must pay a premium for your Part A coverage.

Finally, to qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who’s lived here for at least five years in a row.

Read more: CMS.gov, Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment

Want help with your situation? Request a plan review or call a licensed insurance agent at (832) 734-6825 (TTY 711). There’s no cost for my help and no obligation.