Medicare Eligibility Requirements

One of the most important health insurance services provided by the federal government in the US, medicare helps people to get help in both, hospital care (called Medicare Part A) and medical care (Medicare Part B). In the year 2006, another program called Medicare Part D was started, that helps in getting monetary help for prescribed medicines and drugs.

Eligibility for Medicare

The federal government has laid certain conditions, norms and eligibility rules that an individual interested in availing the benefits of this program must satisfy. Without fulfilling all the criteria of medical eligibility requirements one can't qualify to avail of the benefits.

Basic Requirements
As a general rule, people who are permanent citizens of US and have worked for 10 years in a profession that has paid money into the medicare system are eligible for medicare insurance. Now, how to know if you've been a part of such profession? Well, it's very simple to understand that. Just have a look at your paycheck. Many firms have a separate column for medicare taxes or they combine it with the social security taxes in the paychecks. The eligibility for medicare applies equally to your spouse. That means, if either you or your spouse has worked for more than ten years in a job that has paid into the medicare system, you both are covered under these benefits. The medicare eligibility age is 65 years or older. To avail benefits of such services, you've to be 65 years or older. People who're not 65 years of age can get benefits of medicare eligibility rules if they're permanently disable or have been treated for kidney transplant. So, the basic requirements for medicare is that either you or your spouse (if married) must have paid into the medicare system and you must be 65 years or older unless you've a disability or permanent kidney failure.

Eligibility Varies for Different Programs
Medicare Part A is a technical term used for hospital insurance. Mostly, people at 65 years of age are applicable for this program and the patient is provided with proper hospital care, nursing facilities and home health care. While getting benefits of this program, the patient is not allowed to pay any monthly premiums.

The eligibility for medicare for people aged 65 years or older are that they must be receiving social security from Railroad Retirement board. In case, you're eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits and haven't yet applied for it, you can get those benefits.

For individuals less than 65 years of age, you've to ensure that you're receiving Social Security or benefits from Railroad Retirement Board because of some disability that has lasted for 24 months or more. Other medical eligibility for people below 65 years of age is that if they've gone for dialysis treatment, they can get a kidney transplant.

Once you're applicable for Medicare Part A benefits, you're eligible for Medicare Part B that requires payment of a monthly insurance premium. In this part, you can avail benefits of doctor service and various other medical services that are not covered under Part A.

In Medicare Part C, that is combination of Part A and Part B, you're provided insurance services by private companies that have been approved by medicare federal government. In Medicare Part D, you're allowed to choose a prescription drug that suits best to your needs. This is most popular among older people as they have to rely heavily on medicines and drugs. For eligibility verification, you've to enroll for medicare eligibility programs and you've to produce relevant certificates.