Medicare Eligibility
There are some criteria that you must meet for you to be eligible or qualified for the Medicare program:
- You are 65 or older.
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You have lived in the United States for five years or more, under a permanent legal residency status.
- You or your partner is an employee of the United States government. You are a retired employee who has not paid into Social Security but has settled their Medicare payroll in their employment.
- If you are befitting from Social Security Benefits or are eligible for such benefits based on the length of time you have worked.
If you are under 65, you may also be eligible for Medicare if you fall under one of the following:
Under 65 With a Disability
If you are not yet 65, but you have a disability, you may be eligible for Medicare. Social Security has defined disabilities that qualify for Medicare to mean:
- You are incapable of doing some level of work as a result of your health and medical condition.
- This medical condition can trigger complications that would lead to your death. Additionally, you must have had it for around one year or more.
If you fall under any of the categories mentioned, you would automatically be a beneficiary under Original Medicare.
If you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), your coverage would not require the usual waiting period of 24 months. This period does not need to be consecutive.
Under 65 With End-Stage Renal Disease
End-Stage Renal Disease is a condition where you require dialysis or a kidney transplant. To activate this coverage’s commencement, kidney-dialysis-related treatment or a kidney transplant must have happened after three months of regular dialysis.
