Who qualifies for Medicare?
You qualify for Medicare if any one of these is true:
- You are 65 or older
- You have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
- You have ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease — in that case Medicare starts as soon as your disability benefits do, with no waiting period
- You have permanent kidney failure
Your income and savings do not affect whether you qualify. That is the main way Medicare differs from Medicaid, which is based on financial need.
Most people apply through Social Security around their 65th birthday. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits by then, you are usually enrolled automatically. Otherwise there is a seven-month window that starts three months before the month you turn 65. Signing up late can mean paying a higher premium for the rest of your life, so it is worth marking the date even if you are still working and covered elsewhere.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Medicare vs. Medicaid: What's the Difference?
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