Yes, you can get Medicare before 65 if you meet specific conditions

Medicare is not limited to people aged 65 and older. You can enroll before 65 if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or if you have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Each path has different timing and requirements, and the process differs depending on which condition applies to you.

The most common route is through SSDI. Once you have been approved for disability benefits and have waited the required 24-month period, Medicare Part A and Part B coverage begins automatically. You do not need to take any additional action — Social Security handles the enrollment. If you have ESRD or ALS, the timeline is faster: you become may be able to access when ready upon diagnosis, though you still need to enroll through Social Security.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months of receiving disability payments, with coverage starting automatically.
  • People diagnosed with end-stage renal disease or ALS can enroll in Medicare right away, regardless of age.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have worked long enough to have earned sufficient Social Security credits.
  • Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is free for those who meet these conditions, but Part B (medical insurance) has a monthly premium unless you have low income.

Getting Medicare through SSDI: the 24-month waiting period

If you receive SSDI, your Medicare may be able to access clock starts the month your disability benefits begin. After 24 months have passed, you automatically enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. Social Security sends you a Medicare card in the mail — you do not need to contact anyone or fill out forms.

The 24-month period is measured from the first month you receive a disability payment, not from the month you applied. If you were approved retroactively and received back payments, Social Security counts from your official approval date. You can check your SSDI status and see when your 24-month period ends by logging into your Social Security account online or calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Your Medicare coverage begins on the first day of the 25th month of SSDI. If you turn 65 before that date, your coverage straightforward continues without interruption — there is no gap or need to re-enroll.

when ready Medicare may be able to access with end-stage renal disease or ALS

If you have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant — you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready, regardless of age. The same applies if you have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease. You do not have to wait 24 months or meet any work history requirement.

To enroll, you must contact Social Security yourself. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person with proof of your diagnosis — typically a letter from your doctor or a hospital discharge summary stating the diagnosis. Social Security will enroll you in Medicare Part A and Part B, and your coverage begins the month after you submit your process.

If you have ESRD and receive a kidney transplant, your Medicare coverage continues for 36 months after the transplant, even if your kidney function improves and you no longer need dialysis. After 36 months, coverage ends unless you meet another condition for Medicare.

Work history and credits required

To may have access to for Medicare through SSDI, you must have earned enough Social Security credits through work. Generally, you need 40 credits total, with at least 20 of those credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. Credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on your wages — you earn up to four credits per year, so 40 credits typically represents about 10 years of work.

If you became disabled before age 31, the requirement is lower: you need only 20 credits earned in the 10 years before disability began. If you became disabled between ages 31 and 42, you need credits for half the years between age 21 and the year you became disabled, with a minimum of 20 credits.

Self-employed people and those who worked under the table do not have credits recorded with Social Security. If you are unsure whether you have enough credits, you can create a free account at ssa.gov and view your earnings record, or call Social Security to ask.

What Medicare covers before age 65

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. There is no monthly premium for Part A if you have earned enough work credits. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests, and some preventive services. Part B has a monthly premium, which in 2024 ranges from $174.70 to $610.50 depending on your income.

If your income is low, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your Part B premium through the Medicare Savings Program, a state-run program that helps people with limited income pay their Medicare costs. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D) if you wish, though these are optional.

Medicare does not cover dental, vision, or hearing care. Many people under 65 who are on Medicare also enroll in Medicaid if they meet their state's income limits, which can fill some of these gaps.

Enrollment timing and what happens at 65

If you are already on Medicare before age 65 through SSDI, ESRD, or ALS, you do not need to do anything when you turn 65. Your Medicare coverage continues without interruption or change. You will not receive a new card or notice — your existing coverage straightforward continues.

If you are under 65 and not yet on Medicare, you can enroll during the general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31 each year), though you may face a late enrollment penalty if you wait. The penalty is a permanent increase to your Part B premium of 10 percent for each year you were may be able to access but did not enroll. If you have ESRD or ALS, enroll as soon as you receive your diagnosis to avoid this penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am on SSDI but have not reached the 24-month mark yet?

You are not yet may be able to access for Medicare. You can check your Social Security account online or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the exact month your 24 months will be complete. Coverage begins automatically the month after that date.

Can I enroll in Medicare Part D for prescription drugs before age 65?

Yes. If you are on Medicare through SSDI, ESRD, or ALS, you can enroll in a prescription drug plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15 through December 7) or when you first become may be able to access. Enrolling on time avoids a permanent late enrollment penalty.

Do I lose Medicare if I go back to work?

If you are on Medicare through SSDI and return to work, your disability benefits may end, but your Medicare coverage continues for at least 93 months (about 7.5 years) after your benefits stop, as long as you are not earning above the substantial gainful activity limit. After that period, you must meet another condition to keep Medicare.

What if I was approved for SSDI but have not received any payments yet?

Your 24-month waiting period begins the month your benefits are approved, not when you receive your first check. If there is a delay in payments, your may be able to access date does not change. Contact Social Security to confirm your approval date.