Medicare Eligibility
Medicare is a U.S. government health insurance program for America’s seniors and those with disabilities. Depending on how you qualify, you may be automatically enrolled or will be eligible to sign up during a specific time period. Read on for more or reach out to Better Insurance Management for individualized answers.
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Medicare for Age
65 and Older
When you reach the age of 65 as a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of at least five years, you become eligible for Medicare. You can first sign up during your initial enrollment period, which lasts for seven months and begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday.
Medicare for
Disabilities
As someone who has a disability, you do not have to be 65 to start receiving Medicare coverage. After you have received disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Your benefits will begin in the 25th month of receiving your disability benefits, and you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare card between months 23 and 25.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), your Medicare coverage automatically begins the same month you begin to receive disability benefits. For this reason, it is important to apply for benefits as soon as you receive your diagnosis.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
People with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can sign up for Medicare. They become eligible for Medicare benefits during the fourth month of a regular course of dialysis treatments. If you have ESRD and would like to receive your Medicare benefits earlier, you can be trained at a Medicare-certified dialysis training facility to perform at-home dialysis treatments, with the approval of your physician. With at-home dialysis treatments, your coverage can begin in the first month of a regular course of dialysis treatments.
With ESRD specifically, you can receive coverage retroactively by up to 12 months, beginning only as early as when you first became eligible for Medicare coverage.
Premium-free Medicare Part A
You may be eligible for premium-free Part A if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board
- You’re eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet
- You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment
- You’re under 65 and have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
- You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and meet certain requirements.
To learn more about your eligibility with Medicare, give us a call today!
