When are you eligible for Medicare? Medicare eligibility requires that you are a permanent legal U.S. resident, as a green card holder or U.S. citizen, who for at least five years has lived in the U.S., and meet at least one of the three following conditions:
- Age 65 or older
- Under age 65 and have been receiving Social Security Disability Income for a minimum of 24 months.
- You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or End-Stage Renal Disease
When I turn 65, am I automatically enrolled in Medicare?
Like most things in life, it depends. If you have been receiving railroad retirement board benefits or Social Security benefits then you may be automatically enrolled. You must have received these benefits for at least four months before you are eligible for Medicare. If this is not true in your case, then contact the nearest Social Security Office, or online at SSA.gov, three months prior to age 65.
If I delay Medicare past 65, how do I enroll?
You will need to contact Social Security to enroll if you delayed your Medicare coverage beyond age 65. If you have creditable coverage, you are included in a Special Enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Going forward, you can enroll in Medicare Part D and Medicare Part C or a Medicare Supplement. Creditable coverage is insurance that is at least as good as standard Medicare drug coverage such as group coverage where you work.
If you did not have creditable coverage and delayed Medicare coverage you will be required to enroll in Original Medicare before being able to purchase additional coverage on a Medicare Drug Card. The General Enrollment period runs every year from January 1 to March 31. In this case coverage will begin in July.
Contact our Senior Health Insurance Specialists about your Medicare coverage today!
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any Information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.