Medicare Eligibility
Three different populations are eligible for Medicare: adults who are 65 or older, younger people with disabilities, and younger people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). While these requirements seem simple, there are some details that you should be aware of to determine whether or not you are eligible for Medicare.
Adults Who are 65 and Older
To qualify for Medicare once you turn 65, you must meet the following requirements.
- You must be 65 or older
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- You or your spouse must have worked to earn 40 credits – usually at least ten years – during which you paid Medicare taxes
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People with Disabilities
To qualify for Medicare as a person younger than 65, you must have disabilities or ESRD. If you believe you may qualify due to disabilities, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- You must have been entitled to Social Security Benefits for at least 24 months (not necessarily consecutively)
- You receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions
- You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease
People with ESRD
People with ESRD require a lot of medical attention and coverage. People with ESRD are eligible for Medicare when they meet the following conditions:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years
- Must have permanent kidney failure requiring regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- You or your spouse have paid social security taxes for a certain length of time, depending on your age.
Am I eligible?
Medicare is for people 65 or older, younger people with disabilities, or younger people with ESRD. Certain conditions must be met to be considered eligible. If you are still unsure of your eligibility, give Medicare Authority a call.
