Medicare eligibility typically begins the first day of the month in which you turn 65 years old. One
exception - if you were born on the first day of a month, you will actually become eligible for
Medicare on the first day of the prior month.
If you are under age 65, you can become eligible for Medicare if you have been on Social Security
Disability Insurance for 24 months or if you have medical conditions such as End-Stage Renal
Disease or ALS.
You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Do You Need to Sign up for Medicare Parts A & B?

No Current Coverage: Yes, it is often your best option to enroll in both parts of Medicare (Part A
and Part B).
Covered by an Individual Health Plan: Yes, it is often your best option to enroll in both parts of
Medicare (Part A and Part B) when first eligible. Anyone currently receiving a tax credit subsidy
through Healthcare.gov will lose their subsidy when Medicare eligibility begins. You will need to
terminate your current individual health plan coverage on the date that your Medicare coverage
will begin.
Covered by an Employer Group Health Plan (19 or fewer employees): Typically, the answer is Yes,
it is best to leave your EGHP and enroll in both parts of Medicare (Part A and Part B) since Medicare
will become your primary coverage and your EGHP will become secondary coverage.
Covered by an Employer Group Health Plan (20 or more employees): Typically, if you are still
working and covered by an EGHP, it is okay to enroll in Medicare Part A (since it doesn’t cost you
anything); however, you will not need to enroll in Medicare Part B. When you are ready to leave
your employment and the EGHP, you can then sign up for Medicare Part B (with no late enrollment
penalty).
Covered by Retiree Group Health Plan: Typically, most Retiree Group Health Plans will require you
to sign up for both parts of Medicare (Part A and Part B). However, you will need to compare the
cost and benefits offered to determine if the RGHP option will be best when compared to buying
private coverage options.