At What Age Are Medicare Benefits Available?

Medicare is a national health insurance program offered to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. President Lyndon B. Johnson's signed the landmark program into law in 1965 as part of his "Great Society" reforms. It came in two parts, called A and B. Congress later added two more parts: Part C, or Medicare Advantage, and Part D. Qualifying beneficiaries can purchase either some or all parts of Medicare, but you must meet certain conditions before enrolling in the program.

If You're Aged 65

• Congress designed Medicare to be used primarily by senior citizens, so the vast majority of beneficiaries are 65 or older. Anyone in the United States who is a permanent resident or citizen and who has paid at least 40 quarters, or 10 years, of Medicare taxes is eligible for premium-free Part A. You can also buy Part A for a monthly premium if you do not qualify for premium-free coverage. Once you qualify for Part A, you can also buy any other part of Medicare, if you choose.

If You're a Spouse

• Even if you did not personally pay Medicare taxes, if you are at least 65 and married to someone who did pay 10 years of Medicare taxes, you are also eligible to enroll in Medicare. Spouses younger than 65 are usually ineligible to enroll in Medicare until they reach the qualifying age, although there are exceptions to this if you have certain health conditions.

If You're Disabled

• If you are disabled and have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months, you can enroll in all parts of Medicare even if you are younger than 65. In most areas, however, you will not able to enroll in Medicare supplement plans. These are usually only sold to senior Medicare beneficiaries since there is no federal law requiring Medigap companies to offer their policies to people under 65. Your state, however, may have laws that do mandate that Medigap companies offer them to those younger than 65 at certain times of the year.

If You Have End-Stage Renal Disease

• If you have end-stage kidney failure for which you receive dialysis or need a kidney transplant, you can enroll in Medicare before you turn 65. You are also eligible for premium-free Part A if you have kidney failure and have paid Medicare taxes for 10 years or are the child or spouse (including divorced spouses) of someone who has done so. If you cannot afford Medicare premiums, you may be able to get help from a state agency that offers Medicare assistance to low-income recipients.