Medicare Eligibility

You are typically eligible for Medicare if you are 65 years or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. You can enroll in Medicare for the first time during your Initial Enrollment PeriodThe Initial Enrollment period is the 7-month timeframe around your 65^th birthday – three months before, your birthday month and three months after your birthday month – during which you can sign up for Medicare for the first time. (IEP).

Learn about your Medicare coverage options now and how you can enroll.

Review our Medicare enrollment guide

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Under 65 and have a qualifying disability 

You are typically eligible for Medicare if you have: 
 

• End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 

• ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) 

• A chronic condition or disability  

• Received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months 

You are eligible for Medicare.

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Not ready to enroll?

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Under 65 and do not have a qualifying disability 

Learn more about Medicare and when you can enroll

Review Medicare enrollment rules so you stay covered and avoid potential late enrollment penalties.

Learn more about Medicare for working seniors

You may be eligible to switch your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug (Part D) plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) The Special Enrollment Period is a specific timeframe outside of the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) where you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan. You must experience a certain life event, like moving or losing your health care coverage through your employer, to qualify for an SEP. The timeframe to make coverage changes depends on the life event. if you have experienced a special life event, such as moving or losing your health care coverage through your employer.

Check if your life event qualifies you for a SEP.

Learn more about the Special Enrollment Period

Already confirmed you qualify for a SEP?

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Typically, you can only switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) The Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 every year. Any changes you make to your coverage begin on Jan. 1. During AEP, you can decide if you want to join, drop or switch to another Medicare Plan. which runs October 15 – December 7. Changes made during this time begin January 1.

To make changes to your current coverage, you must either: 

1. Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) The Special Enrollment Period is a specific timeframe outside of the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) where you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan. You must experience a certain life event, like moving or losing your health care coverage through your employer, to qualify for an SEP. The timeframe to make coverage changes depends on the life event., or 

2. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can switch to another Medicare plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from Jan. 1 – March 31 every year. During this time, you can make one change by deciding to:
   • Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or 
   • Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) from January 1 – March 31.

    

Compare Medicare coverage options to choose the right plan for you and find out when you can switch.

Learn more about enrollment periods based on your current Medicare coverage