Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older. If you are under 65, you may still qualify for Medicare early if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Medicare is divided into four parts.
There are several ways to enroll in Medicare when you’re in your 60s, whether you plan to retire or continue working:
- If you start receiving Social Security retirement benefits from age 62 up to 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65.
- If you apply for Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 or later, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security. The Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare starts 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65 – a total of 7 months. You may have to pay a penalty if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period.
- If you’re not ready to receive Social Security benefits at age 65 because you’re still working, you can sign up for Medicare online. Or you can wait until you retire to sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically start receiving Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months. If you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), you’ll get Medicare Parts A and B immediately when you apply for Social Security disability benefits. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), learn about coverage and signing up for Medicare.
Many types of healthcare providers accept Medicare. This includes doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare providers.
Medicare Savings Programs include 4 options that can help you pay for Medicare costs:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program – Part A and B premiums, deductible, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program – Part B premiums.
- Qualifying Individual (QI) Program – Part B premiums.
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program – Part A premiums.
Learn more about Medicare Savings Programs, including what income and resource limits determine eligibility.
