How you qualify for Medicare will depend on a few factors, but your age is one of the most defining factors.
Being 65 or Older
Most Medicare beneficiaries qualify for Medicare by meeting the age requirement. If you are 65 years old or older and meet the general requirements for Medicare, you are qualified to enroll in Medicare. But, what exactly are these other general requirements that are mentioned? Well, these requirements include:
- Being a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident of at least five years
- Getting Social Security retirement benefits
- Getting Railroad Retirement Board benefits
- Being a government employee
- Having a spouse that is a government employee
Now, suppose you meet some of the general requirements listed above, and you’re three months away from turning 65. In that case, this will open up a window called the Initial Enrollment Period. This is the first enrollment period that becomes available as soon as you become eligible for Medicare. As previously mentioned, it starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after you turn 65. This gives you a total of seven months to enroll in Medicare.
It is highly recommended to enroll in Medicare during this period to avoid late enrollment fees.
Being Under 65
You can also qualify for Medicare if you’re younger than 65, but only if you meet very specific requirements. These requirements include:
- Getting Social Security benefits for at least 24 months
- Getting a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board
- Having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Having End-Stage Renal Disease or permanent kidney failure
Even if you’re younger than 65, you still have to meet some of the general requirements, such as being a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
Need Help? We’ve Got You Covered!
After more than a decade of working in the industry, we have the expertise to connect you with the Medicare coverage that best meets your healthcare needs. To learn more about qualifying for Medicare, contact us today by calling 217-740-4166 or emailing us at rick@thomfam.com.
