You may be eligible for Medicare if you are a US citizen or permanent legal resident for the last five years. You must also be one of the following:

• You are age 65 or older  
• You have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months 
• You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) 
• You have End‑Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), meaning permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant

You’re eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan once you’re enrolled in Original Medicare.  Learn more about Medicare Advantage eligibility 

Yes. Preexisting conditions, also known as previous health conditions, do not affect your Medicare eligibility and coverage. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is available to any individual age 65 or older, younger than 65 with a disability, or any age with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

If you have received disability insurance payments from Social Security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months, you will be eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.

Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage is effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in more coverage through a private insurance company. You can pick a plan during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security disability benefits, includes that month, and continues for three months after.

You will enroll automatically. You should get your Original Medicare card and details in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you get Social Security payments, your Part B premium will be paid from your balance once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with a private insurance company. You can pick a plan during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security disability benefits, includes that month, and continues for three months after.

If you miss your Original Medicare initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time, your coverage will start the month after you enroll. Depending on your situation, you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare Advantage plans at this time. You will have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also have to pay late enrollment fees unless your current coverage type waives it.