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You are eligible for Medicare if you are age 65 or older, if you are receiving disability benefits from Social Security, or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and you or your spouse worked for at least ten years in Medicare-eligible employment and paid Medicare taxes while working.
People in these categories receive Medicare Part A coverage at no monthly premium. If you were unemployed or didn't pay enough Medicare taxes while working, you may be able to buy Part A coverage if you are 65 or older, or if you are disabled and have begun working again.
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Part B coverage is available at a monthly premium to those eligible for Medicare. However, if you or your spouse is still working and you have employer or union health coverage, you may not be able to sign up for Part B. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you first become eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment fee in addition to your monthly premium. Your enrollment in Part B may affect your eligibility for other services, such as TRICARE or Medigap policies.
Part A and Part B comprise the Original Medicare Plan. If you have the Original Medicare Plan, you may also be eligible to add a Medicare part D prescription drug plan* or a Medigap policy, depending on the eligibility requirements of the particular plan. If you are eligible for the Original Medicare Plan, you may be eligible to receive your benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan, depending on the plans available in the area where you live. You are generally not eligible to join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time if you have ESRD, but you may be able to join a Special Needs Plan specifically for people with ESRD.
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* You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or Your State Medicaid Office
Dental or vision options can be added to your
coverage.
Living longer means paying more for health care.
A woman who retires at 65 can expect to maintain her health until the age of 84, on average.2
Men who expect high health costs after they turn 65 end up retiring – on average – 13 months later than those who don't.3