Ms. Henderson believes she will qualify for Medicare coverage when she turns 65 without paying any premiums because she has been working for 40 years and paying Medicare taxes. This belief is correct. Generally, individuals who have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (approximately 10 years) qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage starting at age 65
. Medicare eligibility typically begins at age 65 for most people. You can enroll starting 3 months before the month you turn 65, through your birth month, and up to 3 months after, providing a 7-month enrollment window
. Exceptions to the age requirement exist for people with certain disabilities, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but otherwise, age 65 is the standard eligibility age
. Therefore, Ms. Henderson will qualify for Medicare coverage at age 65 based on her work history and Medicare tax contributions, allowing her to receive Part A without paying premiums
