Medicare is a U.S. government health care plan for people ages 65 and older. However, Medicare is also for people under age 65 with certain disabilities and meeting other qualifying conditions. Medicare has four primary parts, each having specific benefits to people under 65 who are in need of health insurance and medical services.
Read on for more information about Medicare plans, enrollment requirements and costs for people under 65 years old. Here, learn everything you need to know about qualifying for Medicare if you’re not a senior citizen.
Medicare is the main U.S. federal health care umbrella program for people who meet certain criteria. Medicare coverage is automatically available to qualified seniors ages 65 and older.
Younger people are capable of enrolling in this health plan, however. How is Medicare under 65 years old different than it is for 65+ senior citizens? Here are a few differences:
• Medicare age requirements are not applicable to people with specific and serious disabilities.
• Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people under 65 years old.
• Medicare eligibility is subjected to additional, longer verification waiting periods.
Medicare and the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) work cooperatively to help people with qualifying disabilities receive the health care they need. Here are some of the most essential facts about Medicare:
- To sign up for Medicare when under age 65, a person is required to have already received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for a minimum of two years. Qualifying for SSDI benefits requires the nature and severity of all disabilities to be verified in great detail. Mental, emotional and physical disabilities must also cause an inability to care for yourself unassisted or earn a survivable living to qualify.
- When you apply for Medicare under age 65 there is another five-month waiting period before your benefits become active.
- People with terminal illnesses such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) are granted exceptions to SSDI and waiting period-based Medicare rules, meaning they do not have to wait as long as others.
- People diagnosed with either qualifying terminal illnesses and diseases, or who qualify for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, are accepted into the Medicare program automatically with no waiting period.
- It is also possible for people who worked qualifying railroad jobs to meet Medicare requirements while still under the age of 65.
- Medicare is made up of four primary parts. Medicare Parts A, B, C & D. These parts are each integral and unique, while also being interrelated to the others in important ways. Each part also covers different types of treatments and medical expenses and therefore has its own set of requirements and coverage options.
- Medicare Part A is free to many tax-paying and otherwise qualified members.
- Medicare Parts B, C & D have premiums and other expenses. There are also designated enrollment periods held each year.
- To apply for Medicare you are required to sign up during the enrollment period applicable to your situation unless you meet specified disability-based exceptions.
Next, learn all about Medicare Part A for those who are under 65 years old.
