Does Medicare Have to Accept You for Coverage?

Medicare coverage eligibility is not determined in the same manner as coverage by a private health insurance company. Eligibility for Medicare is determined by several factors, including age, work status and disability. Your health cannot hurt your Medicare eligibility, and in some cases it may actually make you eligible for benefits. As a general rule, you may begin applying for Medicare health benefits three months prior to your 65th birthday.

Citizenship and Health Status

• You're eligible for Medicare benefits if you're a citizen of the United States or a lawfully naturalized permanent resident. Your initial eligibility for Medicare Part A determines your eligibility for Medicare Parts B, C or D. Medicare cannot refuse coverage based on a preexisting medical condition. As long as you meet the requirements for coverage based on age, years of employment, disability status or spousal work credits, you may receive at least Medicare Part A.

Medicare Part A Requirements

• Most Americans over the age of 65 are eligible for Medicare Part A, according to Social Security Online. Medicare Part A is health insurance that helps pay for hospital and nursing care. You're eligible to receive this coverage if you're 65 or older and receive Social Security retirement benefits, railroad retirement benefits and worked long enough to pay Medicare taxes. You may also receive Medicare Part A if your spouse, living or dead, is eligible to receive benefits. Even if you don't meet these requirements, you may be able to enroll in Medicare Part A during a specified enrollment period and pay a monthly premium.

Medicare Under Age 65

• If you're under age 65, you may be eligible to receive Medicare Part A benefits. According to Social Security Online, if you're entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months, receive a disability pension from a railroad retirement fund, are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease or are suffering from renal failure, you may receive Medicare Part A health benefits regardless of age. You may also receive these benefits if you're age 50 or older and are the widow of someone who worked long enough to be eligible for Medicare Part A.

Medicare Parts B, C and D

• Medicare Parts B, C and D each perform a different service apart from Medicare Part A. You cannot enroll in Medicare Part C without first enrolling in Medicare Part B and so on. Unlike Medicare Part A, which requires little or no monthly premium, Medicare parts B, C and D each require a separate monthly premium. Medicare cannot turn you down for this coverage as long as you meet the above mentioned criteria for Medicare Part A. If you need assistance in paying monthly premiums, you may visit the website for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and select the state you live in. There may be a few state-run programs to assist you in making monthly premium payments for your elected Medicare coverage.