Am I Eligible for Medicare?

Understanding Medicare eligibility helps you figure out if you can sign up for Medicare, and it helps you to know when you can sign up for Medicare. 

It is important to know about your Medicare eligibility for a few reasons. 

• You may be charged late penalties if you do not sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible. Those penalties will last as long as you have Medicare. We want you to understand how to avoid them. 
• Understanding your eligibility helps you plan for the future. Knowing when you will be eligible lets you take the time to pick a health care plan that is right for you and your lifestyle.
• You deserve to get the health care coverage you need. Understanding your eligibility ensures you are ready to access the benefits available to you from the very first day you can receive them. 

Who is Eligible for Medicare?

If you are a US citizen or legal immigrant, you have likely been contributing to your Medicare coverage over the course of your work history with Medicare (FICA) taxes that are deducted from your paycheck every time your employer pays you.

Most people become eligible to access those Medicare benefits at age 65.

Some people younger than age 65 are also eligible for Medicare.

• Younger people with disabilities
• Younger people with health conditions – End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Everyone has different circumstances. You may have a lot of questions about how those circumstances impact your Medicare eligibility.

Click on the topics below that apply to you to learn how these circumstances impact your Medicare eligibility.