Who is Eligible for Medicare?

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you aren't yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

• You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
• You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't yet filed for them.
• You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if you have:

• received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
• End-Stage Renal Disease and meet certain requirements.

While you do not have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of these conditions, you must pay for Part B if you want it. Starting January 1, 2007, the Part B premium will be based on your income. Most people pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $93.50 in 2007.

The Part B monthly premium

Note: You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you aren't eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

Source:www.census.gov