Medicare is a health insurance package that helps to cover the cost of approved medical and hospital services. The program is open to people aged 65 or older, people diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and people who receive disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
However, there are some individuals who are not eligible to enroll in Medicare. In this article, we will explain who.
Medicare Eligibility
To be eligible for Medicare there are some criteria that need to be met. Those criteria are:
- be U.S. citizen
- be a permanent U.S. resident for at least five years in a row
- be 65 years old or older
- receiving disability benefits via Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board
- have been diagnosed with End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
If you met some of the stated requirements then you are eligible for the Medicare program and can proceed to enrollment. The best time to enroll in any Medicare part or plan is during your Initial Enrollment period, which occurs around your 65th birthday (precisely it starts 3 months before your 65th birthday and lasts for seven months). If you miss enrollment during this period you will be exposed to a late enrollment penalty fee.
Who Is Ineligible To Enroll?
Since Medicare is open to people aged 65 or older, if you are under 65 and do not meet other qualifying requirements, you cannot enroll in the program until you become eligible. People diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis can enroll in Medicare even while under 65. Also, people who receive disability benefits are eligible to enroll in Medicare while they are below the age of 65.
Others have to wait until their initial enrollment period before they can enroll in Medicare. The initial enrollment period is when you are first eligible for Medicare if you qualify by age. It starts three months before your 65th birthday and runs three months after, giving you seven months to enroll in Medicare for the first time.
If you are not a citizen or a permanent legal resident, you cannot enroll in the program. All Medicare beneficiaries must be U.S. citizens or have been permanent legal residents for at least five years to enroll in Medicare.
To know if you qualify for Medicare, you can use the Medicare eligibility tool on the Medicare website – medicare.gov. Alternatively, you can contact a Medicare insurance agent to get more information.
Why Work With A Medicare Agent?
Working with an insurance agent who specializes in Medicare is one of the best things you can do to save yourself the time and the hassle of figuring out Medicare all on your own. By working with Temmen Insurance, we can simplify the process of enrolling in Medicare and finding a plan that suits your needs. We’ll even help you determine your eligibility so you know which coverage option is best for you at the moment.
Contact us today to get a free quote.