Who is eligible for Medicare?

Individuals who have worked at least 40 quarters (10 years) and paid Medicare taxes, or individuals whose spouse has worked has at least 40 quarters (10 years) and paid Medicare taxes, are eligible for Medicare.
For most people, Medicare eligibility begins at the age 65.
Additionally, Individuals who have been entitled to SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) for at least 24 months qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B upon their 25th month of receiving benefits.

Many people often confuse their Medicare Eligibility date with their Social Security eligibility date. But beware, they are different . . .
Individuals can apply for Social Security full retirement income benefits at age 66 (in 2018). However, this does not affect the age at which they qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B.


Eligibility for Medicare Part A

You are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A if you are age 65 or older, and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part A generally covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled-nursing facilities stays, and home health care. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

If you have not worked the required 10 years, Part A may be available for you to purchase based on the following criteria:



Eligibility for Medicare Part B

Your eligibility for Medicare Part B starts when you turn age 65. However, you are responsible for paying a monthly premium for Part B, which is income based, and starts at $134.00/month (in 2018).
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover thing like:

If you are still working, turning 65, and are covered under you or your spouse's health insurance, you can delay your enrollment into Medicare Part B without incurring a late penalty.
Remember, before you delay your enrollment into Medicare Part B, carefully weigh all your options. And most importantly, feel free to give us a call at 1 (844) 280-0785 and get all your questions answered.


Eligibility for Medicare Part C

You are eligible for Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) if you are currently enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and reside in the plans service area.
Medicare Advantage plans (e.g., HMO, PPO, PFFS) are ways to receive Your Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits through one private plan.
These plans are administered by private insurance companies that contract with the federal government.
Additionally, everyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan still has Medicare Parts A and B and must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium in addition to the specific plan premium.


Eligibility for Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

You are eligible for Medicare Part D as long as you are currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B and reside in the Part D plans service area.
Remember, even-though Medicare Part D is voluntary, it is strongly recommended if you have no other credible drug coverage such as VA or Retiree benefits.
Additionally, if you do NOT enroll in a Part D plan when you are first eligible, and you do NOT have credible coverage, you may be subject to lifelong penalties.
In conclusion, Part D plans may help you significantly lower your prescription drug costs and help protect you against higher costs in the future.


Need Help Navigating Your Medicare Eligibility?

For the most part, turning 65 makes you eligible to apply for Medicare, but there are so many moving pieces to Medicare that figuring out when you should enroll in each Part can be tricky.
For some people, trying to figure it all out can be overwhelming. Often times we see people with "information constipation", they overload on information and then become paralyzed making a decision.
Medicare has many different enrollment rules and enrolling at the wrong time can result in expensive penalties.
Remember, our service is free, so why not call a licensed specialist at 1(844) 280-0785, to help you navigate your enrollment.