When Does Your Medicare Start?

Step 2

Disability Benefits

Do you currently receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement disability benefits?

Step 3

When did benefits start?

What month and year did your SSDI (or Railroad Retirement disability) payments begin? This is the date on your first disability payment, not when you applied.

Step 3

Do you have a qualifying condition?

Some conditions allow Medicare before age 65. Do any of the following apply to you?

Step 4

Will you still be working at 65?

Do you expect to have health insurance through your own active employment or your spouse's active employment when you turn 65? Retiree coverage and COBRA don't count here — only coverage from an employer where someone is actively working.

Step 4

When did dialysis start?

What month and year did you begin regular dialysis (or have a kidney transplant)?

Step 2

Are you enrolled in Medicare?

Are you currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B?

Step 3

Do you have employer coverage?

Do you have health insurance through your own active employment or your spouse's active employment? (Retiree coverage or COBRA does not count here.)

Because you'll have health coverage through active employment at 65, you have the right to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty. You don't need to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period.

Because you receive Social Security Disability benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare after 24 months of receiving those benefits.

Because you have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), you qualify for a special rule: the 24-month SSDI waiting period is waived.

Because you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can qualify for Medicare before age 65.

Great — you've already taken the first step. Now the question is making sure you have the right type of coverage for your situation.

Because you have health coverage through active employment, you have the right to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty — for now.

You're past your Initial Enrollment Period and don't have qualifying employer coverage. Here's what that means and what to do next.