Medicare Eligibility

For senior citizens, above 65 years of age and for those who are covered under social security benefit plans or for those who are disabled, medicare benefits are definitely one of the most beneficial forms of health insurance.

Medicare Eligibility Requirements

There are various requirements an individual must satisfy before one can obtain medicare benefits. These medicare eligibility rules are related to age, nationality, work experience and various other conditions. Nevertheless, since its inception in 1965, medicare eligibility criteria have gone through major changes and have been modified in various forms. This creates a lot of confusion among people as to what are the various medicare eligibility parameters. Here, I'll discuss various medicare eligibility rules.

Medicare Eligibility Age
Senior citizens above 65 years of age are eligible for medicare benefits. Generally, age for medicare eligibility can be less than 65 years however, for that to happen, the individual must be disabled and must have received Social security disability (SSD) benefits for at least 10 years. In many cases, individuals receiving Railroad Retirement payments are also eligible for medicare benefits. Besides that, people with diseases like major kidney problems or end stage renal diseases qualify for medicare eligibility, even if they are below 65 years of age.

Medicare Eligibility Nationality
Only those individuals are entitled for medicare eligibility who have been US citizens for at least five years before applying for this program. Non Americans who have gained US citizenship at least five years before applying for this health insurance plan, are also eligible for these benefits.

Medicare Eligibility Types
There are different types of medicare eligibility that can you can apply for. All have their own benefits.

• Type A: It consists of benefits for services received in hospitals.
• Type B: This type covers charges received for services in home care and through outpatient.
• Type C: Part C doesn't provide any major coverage but it helps in getting some benefits from private insurers to get affordable health insurance.
• Type D: Generally, the most popular type D eligibility, pays premiums for drugs and medicines, that are usually the most expensive part of health care management of senior citizens, as they rely heavily on medicines.

Medicare Eligibility for Spouse
If you or your spouse have worked for at least ten years and have directly paid some premiums into the medicare system, then after 65 you'll be automatically eligible for medicare. In case of self employed people, these are paid through forms of various taxes.

Facts About Medicare

Medicare is the nation's largest health insurance program and nearly 40 million senior and disabled Americans are insured under it. It is one of the most popular forms of Individual health insurance plans. Generally, there are various issues related to medicare eligibility and requirements. For instance, there is no mention of qualifying disabilities on medicare website and so it leads to confusion among people.

People applying through disabilities are handled on individual basis and then it's decided if they're eligible for medicare or not. 3 months before one turns 65 years of age and those with approved disabilities must apply through phone, mail or online for medicare benefits. After 7 months of turning 65, you're generally not allowed to apply for medicare benefits.

Enrollment lasts from Jan 1 to March 31, every year. It is advisable to enroll during enrollment period as that helps to get better premiums. With an average premium of US$ 96.40, in the year 2009, the premiums are subject to change every year. Visiting the medicare website can give you more information about updated medicare eligibility rules and criteria. The medicare eligibility providers are private or public agencies recommended by governmental agencies and you can visit medicare website and offices to get the contact number of various medicare providers.