Most people are eligible for Medicare when they reach the age of 65. Some people who are younger (ages 18 to 65) and have certain disabilities that prevent them from working can also be eligible for Medicare. To get Medicare Parts A & B (Original Medicare), you must meet the following criteria.
Citizenship
You must:
Be a United States citizen OR
Have been living in the United States legally for at least 5 years nonstop.
At What Age Can I Get Medicare?
You must be:
Age 65 or older, OR
Over 18 and under age 65 AND meet one of these conditions:
Have received Social Security disability benefits, or SSDI, for at least 2 years, OR
Have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, also called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), AND
Are starting to get Social Security disability. Usually you can get Medicare the 6th month after Social Security found that your disability started, OR
Have been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease, sometimes called ESRD, AND
Have been on dialysis for 3 months OR
Have had a kidney transplant.