Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for:
- People aged 65 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 consecutive years. Eligibility at 65 generally requires that the individual or their spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for a sufficient period (typically 40 quarters or 10 years), or that they receive or qualify for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits
- People under 65 who qualify due to certain disabilities. This includes those who have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months, individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease) who get Medicare automatically when SSDI benefits begin, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who require dialysis or have had a kidney transplant (though ESRD requires active enrollment)
- Certain family members such as spouses (living, deceased, or divorced) who qualify based on their spouse’s work history and benefits
In summary, Medicare eligibility is mainly for:
- Age 65 or older with sufficient work history or Social Security/RRB benefits
- Under 65 with qualifying disabilities (SSDI for 24 months, ALS, ESRD)
- Certain family members meeting specific criteria
Most people age 65 or older qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A if they or their spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. Others may pay premiums to enroll
. This eligibility covers Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), with automatic enrollment for many who receive Social Security benefits at age 65 or after disability qualification
