Get Medicare

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Given the range of benefits provided, it is no surprise that seniors are often excited to get Medicare.

How Do I Get Medicare?

In order to get Medicare, you must satisfy the Medicare program's eligibility criteria. People who do not satisfy these criteria cannot get Medicare. Typically, you are eligible to get Medicare if you (or your spouse) worked for at least 40 quarters (ten years) in Medicare-covered employment. In addition, you usually have to be at least 65 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States to get Medicare. Original Medicare consists of Parts A & B. You can get Medicare Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

• You're receiving retirement benefits from either Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board

• You're eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't yet filed for them

• You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage are not part of Original Medicare. In order to get these plans, you must go through a separate enrollment. For enrollment help to get Medicare Part D plans or to get Medicare Advantage plans, call 888-312-4066 or fill-out the form to the right.

Can I Get Medicare Before I Turn 65?

In most cases, you cannot get Medicare before age 65. However, there are certain disabilities and medical conditions that will qualify you to get Medicare before your 65th birthday. In fact, nearly 1 out of 5 people who get Medicare are under age 65.

If you are disabled, younger than age 65, and have been entitled to disability benefits through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for two years, you can get Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B beginning in the 25th month of your disability benefit entitlement. You will be enrolled automatically and do not need to do anything to get Medicare.

Medical conditions that qualify you to get Medicare include End Stage Renal disease as well as other medical conditions that qualify you to get Social Security disability. If Lou Gehrig's disease is the medical condition that qualifies you for Social Security disability benefits, then you can get Medicare in the first month you get Social Security disability benefits.

If you are under age 65, you can get Medicare Part A without paying a monthly premium if you:

• Received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months
• Have End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements

Medicare has neither approved nor endorsed this information.