Who Qualifies for Medicare?

⫸people age 65 or older,

⫸people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and

⫸people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

If you are age 65 or older, have certain disabilities, or have permanent kidney failure, you may qualify for this federal health insurance program. To be qualified, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be either age 65 or older or eligible to receive Social Security benefits for another reason.

Other qualifications are those who receive or are eligible to receive railroad retirement benefits, if you are your spouse worked long enough in government employment where Medicare taxes were paid, or if you are the dependent of a parent who worked long enough in government employment where Medicare taxes were paid. If you are under age 65 but have a disability, you may qualify for Medicare.