Medicare

You are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you aren’t yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

• You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
• You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't yet filed for them.
• End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements.
• Under 65 and have a disability.

Note: You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

If you have questions about your eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, or if you want to apply for Medicare, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit or call your local Social Security office. TTY users should call 800-325-0778. You can also get information about buying Part A as well as Part B if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A.