When You Can Start Drawing Medicare: Age Requirements and Your Options

You can draw Medicare at 65, but you may be able to start earlier if you have a disability or end-stage renal disease

The standard age to start Medicare is 65. Most people become may be able to access for Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) the month they turn 65, as long as they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. You do not have to wait until your birthday month—you can sign up during the three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, or the three months after.

If you are under 65, you may still be able to draw Medicare if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These are the only circumstances that lower the age requirement below 65.

Key Takeaways

Medicare may be able to access begins at age 65 for most people, but you can sign up three months before your 65th birthday.
If you have received SSDI for 24 months, you may be able to draw Medicare before age 65 regardless of your age.
People with end-stage renal disease or ALS can draw Medicare at any age if they meet the medical criteria.
Signing up late can result in a permanent penalty on your Part B and Part D premiums, so timing your enrollment matters.

Medicare at 65: The Standard Timeline

At 65, you become may be able to access for Medicare Part A without paying a premium if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient care, requires a monthly premium that changes each year.

You can enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which runs for seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after. If you miss this window, you will face a late enrollment penalty on Part B that increases by 10 percent for each full year you delay. That penalty stays on your premium for as long as you have Part B.

If you are still working at 65 and have health coverage through your employer, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty, but you must have a group health plan based on your current employment or your spouse's current employment. Part A enrollment is still recommended even if you delay Part B.

Drawing Medicare Before 65 if You Receive Disability Benefits

If you have been receiving SSDI for 24 consecutive months, you become may be able to access for Medicare regardless of your age. This means a 30-year-old or 50-year-old who has been on SSDI for two years can draw Medicare. The 24-month waiting period starts from the month you first became may be able to access for SSDI, not from the month you applied.

You do not need to do anything special to enroll—Social Security will automatically switch you to Medicare once you have been on SSDI for 24 months. You will receive a Medicare card in the mail, and your coverage will begin the first day of the month you become may be able to access. Part A is free for people who may have access to this way, but you will still pay a premium for Part B unless you meet income limits for a program called Medicaid.

If you are on SSDI and turn 65, your Medicare coverage continues without interruption. Your SSDI payments stop, but Medicare remains active.

Medicare for End-Stage Renal Disease and ALS

People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)—permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant—can draw Medicare at any age. may be able to access begins the first month you need dialysis, or the month you receive a kidney transplant, whichever comes first. If you are on a waiting list for a transplant, you become may be able to access the month you are placed on the list.

People diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can draw Medicare when ready upon diagnosis, regardless of age. Unlike ESRD, there is no waiting period for ALS. You become may be able to access the first month you are diagnosed.

For both ESRD and ALS, Part A is free, but you will pay a Part B premium. Social Security will help you enroll, and coverage typically begins the month you meet the medical criteria. You will need documentation from your doctor confirming the diagnosis or the start of dialysis.

What Happens if You Miss Your Enrollment Window

If you do not sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have a valid reason for the delay, you will face a late enrollment penalty. For Part B, the penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. That penalty is permanent—it stays on your premium for as long as you have Part B.

For Part D (prescription drug coverage), a similar penalty applies: 1 percent of the national base beneficiary premium for each month you were may be able to access but not enrolled. If you go 63 days or more without Part D coverage, you will owe this penalty when you finally enroll.

The only way to avoid these penalties is to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, or to have a valid reason for late enrollment—called a Special Enrollment Period. Valid reasons include losing employer coverage, moving out of your plan's service area, or may have access to for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

How to Enroll in Medicare

You can enroll in Medicare online through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at your local Social Security office. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B the month you turn 65. You can check your enrollment status on your Medicare.gov account.

When you enroll, have your Social Security number, birth date, and information about any current health coverage ready. If you are enrolling before 65 due to disability or ESRD, you will need medical documentation. The enrollment process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes by phone or online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I draw Medicare at 62?

Only if you have been receiving SSDI for 24 months, have end-stage renal disease, or have ALS. Otherwise, you must wait until 65. Early retirement from Social Security does not lower your Medicare age—those are separate programs.

What if I am still working at 65?

You can delay Part B enrollment without penalty if you have health coverage through your current employer or your spouse's current employer. However, you should still enroll in Part A. Once you stop working, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty.

Do I have to pay for Part A at 65?

Part A is free at 65 if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If you do not meet this requirement, you can still buy Part A, but you will pay a monthly premium. Most people do not pay for Part A.

What if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?

You can still enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31 each year), but you will owe a permanent late enrollment penalty on Part B and possibly Part D. The penalty increases by 10 percent for each year you delay, so enrolling as soon as possible reduces the long-term cost.

Does my spouse's age affect when I can draw Medicare?

No. Your age determines your may be able to access, not your spouse's. However, if your spouse is 62 or older and you are not yet 65, your spouse may be able to draw Medicare based on your work record if you have been married for at least one year.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.