Am I Eligible for Medicare?

You are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Below is an overview of Medicare eligibility. You can download a comprehensive guide to Medicare here.

You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

  • You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

  • You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them.

  • You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

  • You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement

  • Have had board disability benefits for 24 months.

  • You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

While you don’t have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of those conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don’t get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.

If you are receiving Social Security Benefits:

As you approach your 65th birthday, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B if you are receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB). There is nothing you need to do.

Your Medicare card and a “Welcome to Medicare” kit should come to you in the mail approximately two to three months before your birthday.

If you are NOT receiving Social Security Benefits:

If you are not yet receiving social security benefits, you can sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B during a seven-month window that includes the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of and three months after. This is called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

Learn more about dates and penalties here

How to Apply

You can either go in person to your local Social Security office, call them at 1-800-772-1213, or go online to SocialSecurity.gov to begin your enrollment. If you have checked your SS earnings online in the past, you might already have an account on SocialSecurity.gov.

When Does Coverage Start?

Your coverage normally begins the first day of the month of your 65th birthday, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, it will begin the first day of the previous month. If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your initial enrollment period, the start date for your Medicare coverage may be delayed.

General Medicare Enrollment Period

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31), and your coverage will start July 1.

Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) gives income to people who are unable to work and are disabled. If you qualify for and have been receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, you are also eligible for Medicare and will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.

Your Medicare card will be mailed to you two to three months before your 25th month of disability. If you don’t receive it, you will want to contact your local Social Security office.