Medicare Eligibility

You’re eligible for Medicare if:

1.  You are turning 65 and are already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
   •  In some cases, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65, otherwise you must enroll.
   • If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.
2. You are under 65 and have a disability.
   • You automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months.
3. You have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
   • You automatically get Part A and Part B the month your disability benefits begin.
4. You live in Puerto Rico and get benefits from Social Security or the RRB.
   • You automatically get Part A. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it.

You’ll need to sign up for Medicare if:

• You are close to 65, but not collecting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits
• You worked for a railroad
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

You’ll get Medicare automatically if:

• You are already collecting Social Security
• You are already on Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits
• You have been on Social Security disability for 24 months

If you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare, you will receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of disability.

Visit Medicare.gov for more information on how to get started with Medicare.