How Old Do You Have To Be To Get Medicare in 2022?

As a senior, you can get Medicare coverage when you turn 65. If you have a qualifying disability, you can receive Medicare benefits after 24 months of disability benefits.

Seniors 65 and Older

If you will be turning 65 in 2022, then you will be eligible for Medicare benefits. You can prepare by learning the basics about the parts of Medicare and what you can expect to pay.

When you are nearing your 65th birthday, you will be able to start making decisions about your coverage. Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after. During that time, you can sign up for Original Medicare, which is Medicare Part A and Part B. Once you are signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D plan, or Medicare Supplement.

If you sign up in the three months before your birthday month, your Medicare benefits will begin on the first day of your birthday month, or the first day of the month before if your birthday falls on the first day of the month. If you sign up during your birthday month or in the three months after, your coverage will begin after a month delay.

Under 65 with a Disability

You are eligible to get Medicare in 2022 if you have received disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months. People with qualifying disabilities do not have to be 65 or older to receive Medicare benefits, as long as they have been receiving disability benefits for two years.

You can expect to receive your Medicare card in the mail around the 23rd month of receiving disability benefits. Your Medicare coverage begins in the 25th month of receiving disability benefits.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) requires a great deal of medical care, which can be expensive. As soon as you receive a diagnosis of ALS, you should immediately apply for disability benefits. The same month your disability coverage begins, you can begin receiving Medicare benefits. It does not matter how old you are when you have ALS. You can receive Medicare benefits under age 65.

End-Stage Renal Disease

When you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you are not automatically enrolled in Medicare but will be eligible for Medicare coverage. With ESRD, you can first begin to receive Medicare benefits during the fourth month of a regular course of dialysis treatment. If you have approval from your physician and are trained at a Medicare-certified training facility, you can be trained to perform at-home dialysis. With at-home dialysis, you can be covered by Medicare during your first month of dialysis treatment.

Getting Medicare in 2022

Will you be eligible for Medicare in 2022? Our team at Dale Frank Financial can help you through the enrollment process and match you with the coverage you need.

*Disclosure: Dale Frank Financial offers insurance products but is not affiliated with Medicare or the U.S. government. Insurance product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company.