Medicare Eligibility

Medicare is a form of health insurance that is offered by the Federal Government. Over 40 million Americans are covered by Medicare. Medicare is largely intended to cover Americans who are over the age of 65, but people with some specific disabilities may be eligible.

The full retirement age is the age at which you can retire with full social security benefits. While this has age has historically been 65, an amendment was added to the Social Security Act that causes this age to periodically raise. If you were born after 1938 than your full retirement age could be as high as 67.

Even if your full retirement age is not 65, you should still register for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday. This is because you can still receive Medicare benefits, but may be responsible for some co-payments. Generally those who are eligible to receive Social Security benefits or railroad retirement benefits can usually qualify. In addition if you or one of your immediate family members, including spouses, worked in a government job that covered Medicare taxes than you may be eligible.

If you are under 65 and:

• have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease than you can qualify for Medicare. Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a disease that affects nerve cells that are located in the brain, spinal column, and eventually throughout the body.
• suffer from acute renal failure. This includes people who are on continuing dialysis due to permanent kidney failure and those who need a kidney transplant.
• have been on Social Security disabilities or Railroad Retirement Board disabilities for at least 2 years. This includes social programs like Medicaird and former rail road workers and their families.