Am I eligible for Medicare?

In general, you can sign up for Medicare if you’re 65 or older. If you’re younger than 65, but meet criteria for certain disabilities, you may qualify as well. However, a lot of different factors determine whether a person can sign up for Medicare.

Understand the eligibility requirements below.

Medicare Part A Eligibility

Hospital Insurance

You are eligible to enroll if:

• you’re at least 64 years and 9 months old; or
• you’re under 65 but live with a certain disability or condition; or
• you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Other things you need to know:

If you already get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you’ll automatically get Part A as soon as you qualify.

Medicare Part B Eligibility

Medical Insurance

You are eligible to enroll if:

• you’re at least 64 years and 9 months old; or
• you’re under 65 but live with a certain disability or condition; or
• you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Other things you need to know:

Part B is optional. If you decide not to sign up during your first enrollment period, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

Medicare Part C Eligibility

Medicare Advantage Plans

You are eligible to enroll if:

• you’re entitled to Part A and
• you’re enrolled in Part B and
• you do not have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), unless you meet an exception; and
• you live in the plan’s service area

Other things you need to know:

We can help you figure out which Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan may be best for you. To speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist, call: 1-866-973-4588 (toll free) TTY 711.

Medicare Part D Eligibility

Prescription drugs

You are eligible to enroll if:

• you have Part A or Part B

Other things you need to know:

Medicare Part D is optional. If you decide not to sign up during your first enrollment period, you may have to pay a late penalty when you do get started.