Applying to Medicare can be tricky. The first thing is to figure out whether you’re eligible. If you’ve been confused about whether or not you’re eligible for Medicare and how to apply for Medicare, then keep reading!
Figuring Out Your Eligibility
There are three main groups of people who are eligible for Medicare: people 65 and older, younger people with disabilities or Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB), and younger people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
65 and Older
If you are 65 and older, you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- Have worked to earn 40 credits – usually at least 10 years – during which you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes.
People with Disabilities or RRB
If you are younger than 65 but still believe you may qualify because you are eligible for RRB who have a disability as specified by the Social Security Administration, then you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- Have been entitled to Social Security Benefits for at least 24 months (not necessarily consecutively)
- Or receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions
People with ESRD or ALS
If you are younger than 65 but still believe you may qualify because you have ESRD or ALS, you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- Have permanent kidney failure requiring regular dialysis or a kidney transplant or ALS
- Have paid social security taxes for a certain length of time depending on you or your spouse’s age
How to Enroll in Medicare
Enrolling in Medicare is different for each person depending on their availability. The best place to start is on the official Medicare website, Medicare.gov. You must make sure that it’s the official website and not a marketing website for a Medicare insurance agent. If you’re confused, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We can guide you through in about 5 minutes.
On the site, you’ll find that there are forms that you need to fill out. If you are someone who was eligible for Medicare but did not initially enroll at 65 because you were still working, there are specific forms to send to your previous employer. You must send these forms to your local Social Security office. Sending it to your local office through certified mail will ensure that your forms are delivered in a timely manner.
The only thing to do is to get up and apply! We’re here for you and are passionate to serve you as you apply for Medicare. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give us a call.
