There are several ways to be eligible for Medicare, and determining this eligibility will help you understand when the best time for you to enroll in Medicare is!

That’s why at World Financial Solutions, we’ll keep you updated on all this information so you can get the coverage you need and at the right time. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what will make you qualify for Medicare.

Age

Most people who qualify for Medicare qualify because of their age, which means they are 65 years old or older. Provided that you meet at least one of the other general requirements, such as:

• You are a U.S. citizen
• You are receiving or are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits
• You or your spouse is a government employee

…you will be eligible to enroll in Original Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period. This period starts three months before your 65th birthday month and extends three months after this.

If you don’t enroll during your IEP, you can delay your enrollment and enroll later during the General Enrollment Period, which is from January 1 to March 31 every year. Do keep in mind, though, that if you enroll during the General Enrollment Period, you may pay a late enrollment penalty. In some cases, you may be able to delay your Medicare enrollment without penalty and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, but this only happens in very specific circumstances. For example, already having creditable health insurance by the time you become eligible for Medicare will qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

Disability Benefits

Apart from meeting the age requirement, you can also qualify if you are younger than 65 and get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. If you receive disability benefits for up to 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare as soon as your 25th month of disability benefits starts. 

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/End-Stage Renal Disease

You can also qualify for Medicare if you are diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 

People with End-Stage Renal Disease must either need regular kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant to qualify for Medicare. After the first dialysis, Medicare will begin coverage. However, the coverage will end once the individual receives a kidney transplant or no longer needs dialysis. 

If you get diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you will automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and B) as soon as your disability benefits begin.

We Can Help!

For more information about qualifying for Medicare and enrolling during the right enrollment period, reach out to World Financial Solutions today! We are here to help you get the coverage you need.