Medicare

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Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps pay for health care costs for people who are 65 or older. It also helps some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. 

Part A: Covers hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice 

Part B: Covers medical insurance, including certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services 

Part D: Is a voluntary prescription drug coverage benefit for people with Medicare. It is an additional benefit that can be added to Original Medicare

Most individuals qualify for Medicare when they turn 65.

You may qualify earlier if you have:

• A disability 
• End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant)
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

1. Meeting the qualifications mentioned above
2. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
3. Lived in the United States for at least 5 years
4. Receive or be eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits 
5. Have worked long enough to be eligible for Social Security or RRB benefits 
6. Be the dependent parent of a deceased child who was fully insured for Medicare 

You can sign up for Part A and Part B three months before turning 65 and three months after turning 65. 

If you've been covered by an employer group health plan, you can sign up during a Special Enrollment Period without penalty. 

You can apply for Medicare Part A and B online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. 

Initial enrollment is a six-month period that starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 and after signing up for Medicare Part B.

There are additional special enrollment periods outside these timeframes.