Introduction to Medicare
Medicare Eligibility
It's important to know what to do when you're eligible for Medicare.
Who is eligible for Medicare?
U.S. citizens and qualified legal residents
Both U.S. citizens and qualified legal residents have to be one of the following:
- Age 65 or older
- Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
- Any age with a diagnosis of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's Disease)
To qualify as a legal resident, you must have lived in the United States for at least 5 years in a row before applying for Medicare.
Medicare Eligibility
What if I work past age 65?
You still have a Medicare enrollment decision to make.
Even if you have coverage through your employer or your spouse's employer, you'll still need to consider Medicare. Depending on your situation, you may or may not be able to delay Medicare enrollment. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) happens when you're turning 65 whether you're still going to work or not. So be sure you know your IEP dates.
Learn how Medicare works with your employer coverage.
Depending on your employer coverage or your spouse's employer coverage:
- You may be required to enroll in Original Medicare (both Part A and Part B) by your/your spouse's employer, or
- You may be able to enroll in only Original Medicare Part A during your IEP, then enroll in Original Medicare Part Band/or Part D later during a Special Enrollment Period.
Reach out to your employer's benefits administrator to learn more about your personal options.
What do I need to do once I'm eligible for Medicare?
Most people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) once they're eligible. But not everyone is.
You'll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare if:
- You're receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, or
- You're eligible for Medicare because of a disability or medical condition.
You must enroll in Original Medicare yourself if:
- You're not receiving Social Security benefits when you become eligible for Medicare.
There are three ways to enroll yourself in Medicare:
- Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- In-person at your local Social Security office.
What are my coverage choices after I have Medicare?
Once you're enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you'll start to receive coverage from the federal government. At that point, you can also choose additional coverage from private insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare. Take a look at the next page—"Coverage Choices"—to learn more.
Read Next:
Coverage Choices
UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Plans
See all of the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug, and Medicare Supplement plans where you live.
Still have questions?
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View Important Disclosures Below
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, brokers or producers.
AARP® encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make product recommendations for individuals.
Please note that each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products.
AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (available in all states/territories except ND, NY) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, 1600 McConnor Parkway, Floor 2, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (available in AR, AZ, IL, IN, MS, NC, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, 2950 Expressway Drive South, Suite 240, Islandia, NY 11749 (for NY residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).
In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.
You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan.
THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.
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