what age do you qualify for medicare

You qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. You are first eligible to sign up for Medicare three months before you turn 65, and the eligibility period ends three months after you turn 65. However, some individuals may be eligible for Medicare earlier if they have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) . If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, but you have the option to decline Part B coverage if you wish. If you miss the initial enrollment period, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, but it is generally advised to sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and late enrollment penalties.