Medicare Eligibility if You Have a Disability, ALS, or ESRD
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those age 65 and older or those younger than 65 with certain disabilities.
If you're under 65 years of age, you may be eligible for Medicare if:
You receive Social Security disability benefits or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) for at least 24 months in a row. Then your Medicare card is mailed to you about three months before your twenty-fifth month of disability benefits.
You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease). Then you receive your Medicare benefits the first month you receive disability benefits from Social Security or the RRB.
You have End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Then Medicare coverage usually starts on the first day of the fourth month of your dialysis treatments. This waiting period starts even if you haven't yet signed up for Medicare.
If you're eligible for Medicare because of any of these conditions, you may receive Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Learn more about Getting Medicare if You Have a Disability.
Medicare plan availability through Via Benefits Insurance Service isn't accessible online. For specific plan availability, please call us at 1-866-322-2824.
