Am I eligible for Medicare?
You should meet the Medicare eligibility requirements if you can answer yes to one of the following questions:
- Are you age 65 or older?
- Are you under 65 with certain disabilities?
- Do you have End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure that requires transplant or dialysis)?
If you already receive Social Security Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B the month you turn 65. Three months prior to your birthdate, you should be receiving your Medicare card in the mail.
If you want to opt out of Part B coverage, you will need to follow the instructions with your Medicare card.
If you live in Puerto Rico, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A (Hospital), but you must sign up for Part B (Medical services) yourself if you want it.
Persons with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease) will automatically get Part A and Part B when their disability benefits begin.
You automatically get Part A and Part B the month your disability benefits begin.
If you don’t receive Social Security benefits, you will not be automatically enrolled. You need to apply at the beginning of your seven-month initial enrollment period (90 days prior to your 65th birthday) to make sure your coverage start date will not be delayed. At this time, you have also the option to apply for Social Security benefits.
If you currently have coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may keep your Marketplace insurance plan after your Medicare coverage starts. However, once your Medicare Part A coverage starts, you’ll no longer be eligible for additional premium tax credits or other savings for a Marketplace plan based on your income, and you have to pay full price for the Marketplace plan.
If you want to enroll, you can do so online at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/apply.html.
