Health · Chapter 17 · Medicare Basics
Medicare Eligibility
Definition
65+: citizens/5-year legal residents with 40 credits (10 years) of work (self or spouse) get premium-free Part A; others may buy in. Under 65: after 24 months of SSDI · ALS — immediately, no wait · ESRD — after a transplant or 3 months of dialysis (group coverage stays primary for the first 30 months).
Exam tip
ALS = instant Medicare. ESRD = 3-month dialysis wait. Everyone else disabled = 24 months on SSDI.
Related terms