What age can you apply for medicare

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When you think of Medicare, you probably assume that it’s for people of retirement age. That’s true, but the program covers more than just those who have worked all their life. You might be eligible right now and not know it. While most beneficiaries are people aged 65 or older, others receive these services at a younger age due to a qualifying disability.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare is the U.S. national health insurance program for those 65 and older or with qualifying disabilities.
• You may be able to keep your private health insurance if you work past the age of 65, but conditions—such as making Medicare your primary coverage—often apply.
• Stay-at-home parents with no work history may still be eligible for Medicare benefits depending on their spouse's work history.

If you qualify for Medicare and don't know where to start, eHealth Medicare, an independent insurance broker and partner of Investopedia, has licensed insurance agents at 1-855-267-0952, TTY 711, who can help connect you with Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and Prescription Drug Part D plans.

Who’s Eligible at 65?

Like Social Security, Medicare is a U.S. government program funded by tax withholding from most workers' paychecks. When they reach 65 or meet other eligibility requirements, they receive Medicare services. You will probably receive Medicare Part A coverage free of charge because of your payroll deductions, but Medicare has other aspects that will likely cost you.

Retirees and Those Still Working

If you paid into a retirement system that didn’t withhold Social Security or Medicare premiums, you’re probably still eligible for Medicare—either through your retirement system or through your spouse. To receive full Medicare coverage at 65, you (or your spouse) must have earned enough credits to be eligible for Social Security.

Each $1,470 you earn annually equals one credit, but you can only earn a maximum of four credits each year. You will receive Social Security benefits at retirement if you have earned 40 credits—10 years of work if you earned at least $5,880 in each of those years. If you continue to work beyond age 65, things get a bit more complicated. You will have to file for Medicare, but you may be able to keep your company’s health insurance policy as your primary insurer. Or, your company-sponsored insurance plan might force you to make Medicare primary, or other conditions may apply to you.

There’s a lot to consider that makes it prudent to talk to a person knowledgeable in Medicare about your specific choices. This could be your Human Resources department or a Medicare representative.

If you continue to work beyond 65, there’s a lot to consider that makes it prudent to talk to a Medicare expert about your choices.

Spouses

Maybe you were a stay-at-home parent or spouse and have no work history. You can still receive Medicare benefits at age 65 based on your spouse's work record. If your spouse has the required 40 credits and you've been married for at least one continuous year, you qualify for benefits.

People in same-sex marriages have the identical rights as any other married couple to be covered under their spouse's Medicare benefits.

If you're divorced and don't qualify for Medicare under your own work record, you may qualify based on your ex-spouse's record as long as your marriage lasted at least ten years and you are currently single.

When Am I Eligible For Medicare?

Disability Benefits

You may be eligible for full benefits before the age of 65 if you have a qualifying disability.

How to Qualify

To receive Medicare disability benefits, you must first receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months. There is usually a five-month waiting period after a worker or widow(er)is labeled as disabled before they can receive SSDI benefits. During this waiting period, the individual may be eligible for coverage under an employer’s health plan or, if they’re no longer employed, through COBRA.

If a person has end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, there is no 24-month waiting period for benefits. A person diagnosed with ESRD can generally begin receiving benefits three months after a course of regular dialysis or after a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, as soon as a person diagnosed with ALS begins collecting Social Security Disability benefits, they are enrolled in Part A and Part B Medicare benefits.

Fast Fact

People who qualify as disabled are under the same rules as a recipient who receives retiree benefits. There is no difference in coverage.

What If You Still Work?

You can work and receive Medicare disability benefits for a transition period under Social Security's work incentives and Ticket to Work programs.

There are three timeframes to understand. The first, the trial work period, is a nine-month period during which you can test your ability to work and still receive full benefits. The nine months don't have to be consecutive. The trial period continues until you have worked for nine months within a 60-month period.

Once those nine months are used up, you move into the next time frame—the extended period of eligibility. For the next 36 months, you can still receive benefits in any month you aren't earning "substantial gainful activity."

Finally, you can still receive free Medicare Part A benefits and pay the premium for Part B for at least 93 months after the nine-month trial periodif you still qualify as disabled. If you want to continue receiving Part B benefits, you have to request them in writing.

If you're disabled, you may incur extra expenses that those without disabilities do not. Expenses such as paid transportation to work, mental health counseling, prescription drugs, and other qualified expenses might be deducted from your monthly income before the determination of benefits, which mayallow you to earn more and still qualify for benefits.

The Bottom Line

To see if you qualify for benefits, go to Medicare.gov's eligibility and premium calculator. That's where you can check your eligibility for benefits and get an estimate of your monthly premium. If your situation is not be covered in the calculator, contact Social Security to discuss your case and get the assistance you need. Social Security representatives will help you understand your particular situation and guide you through the next steps.

Can I get Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes, if you have a qualifying disability. One example would be someone who's received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months. Individuals who are diagnosed with ALS or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are eligible for Medicare coverage immediately.

Can I get Medicare if I never worked?

Yes, if your spouse qualifies based on their work record, and you've been married for at least one continuous year.This also applies to divorced people, as long as they were married to their ex-spouse for at least ten years, and the unemployed individual is still single.

Can I get Medicare if I am still working?

Yes, but it can be complicated. If you want to keep working, you may be able to keep your company's health insurance as a primary coverage, or the company might require you to make Medicare primary.