Most individuals age 65 or older who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible for “Premium Free” Medicare Part A.
You are eligible at 65 if:
- You receive or are eligible to receive Social Security
- You receive or are eligible to receive railroad retirement
- Your living, deceased or divorced spouse is at least age 62 and is eligible to receive Social Security*
- *Other stipulations apply for eligibility under divorced spouses
Before age 65, you are eligible for Medicare if:
- You have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
- You receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions
- You have Lou Gehrig’s disease or ESRD