At What Age Can You Collect Medicare Insurance?

According to the U.S. government's official Medicare website, Medicare provides insurance coverage for certain people, including seniors and disabled Americans. Medicare provides both hospital coverage with Medicare Part A and general health insurance through Medicare Part B. Most individuals must pay for Medicare B coverage, but receive Medicare A coverage free of charge.

General Eligibility

• The official Medicare website reports that Individuals become eligible for Medicare upon turning 65 years of age. Disabled individuals younger than age 65 may obtain Medicare benefits after receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for two years. Those with End-Stage Renal Disease and meeting certain requirements can also obtain Medicare benefits before age 65.

Medicare Part A

• Medicare Part A coverage helps pay for services received from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care. Most people automatically receive free Medicare A coverage upon turning 65 years of age because they or their spouses paid sufficient Medicare taxes over the course of their careers. Those people who did not pay sufficient Medicare taxes or who previously received disability benefits but returned to work can purchased Medicare A coverage.

Medicare Part B

• According to the Medicare website, Medicare Part B serves as general health insurance that can help pay for treatment from physicians, outpatient hospital care, physical and occupational therapists and some home health care. Individuals can sign up for Medicare Part B coverage during a seven-month period that starts three months before the birthday on which they turn 65. People can contact the Social Security Adminisration by telephone or visit a local Social Security Administration office.

Enrollment

• Those individuals who did not sign up for Medicare Part B when turning 65 can enroll during the normal enrollment period taking place during the first three months of each year. Medicare Part B coverage would start on July 1 of the year the individual enrolled.

  Delaying enrollment in Medicare Part B can result in higher premiums for coverage. For example, those who do not enroll for Medicare Part B when they are first eligible will pay an additional ten percent for each full twelve-month period they delayed obtaining coverage.