What is Medicare, and Who is Eligible to Receive It?

Medicare provides healthcare services to millions of elderly individuals and people with disabilities in the United States.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older. Medicare also extends to individuals with certain types of disabilities, including end-stage kidney disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).

You may qualify for Medicare regardless of age if you have received Social Security disability benefits and insurance payments for 24 months or more.

Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident and have lived in the country for at least five consecutive years immediately before enrolling in Medicare.

If your status documentation has expired, unfortunately, you cannot apply for Medicare, regardless of how long you have lived in the country or whether you are 65 years old.

If a wife in the family did not work, she may also apply and qualify for Medicare based on the number of years her husband worked.

Another important feature of Medicare is that it is individual insurance.

This means that each person must apply individually, enroll in it, and choose coverage for themselves, which may differ from a plan you had through an employer or from a family plan.

There are a few things to consider when exploring Medicare plans and coverage in general:

the availability of additional benefits in the plan (such as dental coverage)
low monthly premiums
access to specific doctors

You can choose Medicare coverage that meets your healthcare needs, budget, and lifestyle.

Primary Medicare Programs:

If you are planning to participate in Medicare, it is essential to know the four main parts of this program.

The government-sponsored Medicare program consists of two parts: Part A and Part B.

Each part covers certain healthcare services. Together, they are often

referred to as Original Medicare or Traditional Medicare.

What is Medicare, and Who is Eligible to Receive It?