Eligibility Requirements For Medicare
You will find a great deal of ways that one can become eligible for Medicare. By understanding the eligibility requirements, you’re able to make certain you’re getting the very best health care coverage possible, even in case you can’t afford medical premiums.
Here, we are going to cover the Medicare eligibility age, the Medicare eligibility requirements, as well as provide you with info on how you are able to do a Medicare eligibility check on your own. The experience of enrolling in Medicare is actually different for everyone, so be sure to do ample research before you decide you’re prepared.
Who Can Get It?
Generally, most Americans start to be eligible for Medicare when they turn 65, or if they’re entering the 25th month of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Yes, there are additional items that might make you qualified for Medicare even in case you do not meet the criteria above, which will be going over.
It’s crucial that you know that Social Security will make the determination on whether you qualify for a Social Security Disability check, not Medicare. While Medicare eligibility may be determined by whether you are 65 or get a Disability check, they can’t change the determinations made by Social Security.
In the event you don’t meet Medicare eligibility criteria, you are able to still apply for Medicare, but you won’t receive premium-free healthcare. The premium you’ll pay is actually driven by a variety of factors that a licensed agent can discuss with you.
Who Can’t Get Medicare?
In the event you don’t believe you are going to qualify for Medicare based on the personal situation of yours, we can help you look into this. Medicare is not guaranteed to everybody. There are particular Medicare eligibility criteria that should be met to be able to qualify for health insurance at no cost, even after you’ve turned sixty-five years old.
You won’t qualify for Medicare If:
- Haven’t been a resident of the United States for no less than five years.
- You or perhaps your spouse hasn’t paid into Medicare tax for a minimum of ten years or perhaps forty quarters.
- You haven’t paid into Social Security for the same forty quarters mentioned above.
What is Needed to Qualify for Medicare?
The requirements for most people to reach Medicare eligibility The standard requirements for enrolling in Medicare when you are 65 years old include:
- Being 65 or older
- Being a citizen or legal resident of the United States for at least 5 years
- Being eligible to receive Social Security Benefits
- You or your spouse paid into Medicare taxes for 10 years (40 quarters)
Additional Requirements if under 65:
- If you have been disabled for 24 months or longer
- Being able to receive Railroad Benefits (even if you have not applied for them)
- You receive Social Security Disability
- You have end-stage Renal Disease
- You have Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- You are a kidney dialysis patient
- You require a kidney transplant
If you have any questions about Medicare eligibility criteria contact your local Social Security Administration to have them review your specific situation.
Other Exceptions
There are exceptions that override the Medicare eligibility age. These exceptions include, but are not limited to:
- Being permanently disabled
- Receiving full disability benefits for at least two consecutive years.
- Having an end-stage renal disease
- Having Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Having ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- And many other medical conditions.
If you have any questions about whether your medical condition qualifies you for enrollment in Medicare, contact your Local Social Security Administration for more information. Do not forget that you must sign up for Medicare before your 65th birthday. Failing to do so can result in serious penalties.
Even if you are not ready to sign up for Social Security Benefits, you must sign up for Medicare. Your Social Security benefit payments can be deferred until a later date, which is something a lot of people who are still able to work decide to do. Understanding the rules surrounding signing up for Medicare on time can save you a lot of hassle, and can help you avoid penalties associated with signing up late.