Generally, to qualify for Medicare, you must be 65 or older and be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. However, there are some special conditions that may make you eligible for Medicare if you are under 65. This post will review the particular situations where you may qualify for Medicare if you are under 65.
How to Qualify
If you are under 65 and you receive disability benefits from the Social Security or from the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months, then you can enroll for Medicare or be automatically enrolled. Individuals who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or end-stage renal disease also qualify for Medicare.
Individuals who have ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease are automatically enrolled for Medicare the month they start to receive Social Security benefits. However, individuals who are under 65 and have end-stage renal disease will need to enroll for Medicare themselves as they will not be enrolled automatically.
What to Enroll In
Suppose you are eligible for Medicare before 65. In that case, you can choose Medicare Part A and Part B or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. As long as you have enrolled for Medicare Part A and Part B, you are eligible for Medicare Advantage plans.
To learn more about your eligibility for Medicare, contact Meservey & Associates.
