You are generally eligible for Medicare at age 65. Enrollment typically begins three months before your 65th birthday and continues for seven months (three months before, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday). However, there are exceptions allowing eligibility before 65 if you meet specific criteria such as:
- Receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months or longer,
- Having End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD),
- Having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
- Receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
Most people become eligible at 65, while some qualify earlier due to disability or other special conditions.
