Who’s Eligible for Medicare?

Most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old, as long as they meet two basic conditions:

• They are U.S. citizens, or
• They are legal residents who have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 continuous years

You may also qualify before age 65 if:

• You’ve been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant
• You’ve been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

What does your work history have to do with eligibility?

If you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you’ll likely qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care.

If you haven’t worked that long, you may still be eligible — but you might have to pay a monthly premium for Part A.

Part B (which covers doctor visits, outpatient services, and preventive care) usually comes with a monthly premium for everyone, regardless of work history.

Automatic Enrollment vs. Applying Yourself

Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare — especially if they’re already receiving Social Security benefits.

Others may need to check their eligibility or apply manually.

You can check your eligibility here: Check Your Medicare Eligibility

Still not sure if you qualify?
We're here to help you figure it out. Tap the “Contact Us” or “Virtual Appointment” button in the app — or 📞 Call a Licensed Medicare Agent.

This app is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with the U.S. government or CMS.