It’s a question that plagues the search pages and Q&A pages of forums and medical sites all over the nation – how do you know if you are eligible for Medicare?

First and foremost, Medicare is designed as a federal-run insurance system for healthcare needs in the United States. It covers those aged 65 and over who have been paying their Medicare payroll taxes and working in the United States for at least ten years upon turning 65.

If you don’t tick all of these boxes, then the immediate indication is that you will likely have to sign up for Medicare rather than expecting to get coverage automatically.

There are other instances where an individual may be eligible prior to reaching the age of 65, with the 2019 Medicare Trustees report stating that while 52 million Medicare beneficiaries in 2018 were over the age of 65, a further 8 million were young people who were eligible under different circumstances. These include:

Those living with disabilities
Those who have permanent kidney failure

Once you have ascertained whether you are eligible or not, it’s time to choose your coverage. Most individuals tend to opt for the Original Medicare package, which includes Parts A and B, with additional private insurance taken out to cover the remaining costs. Others may choose to implement Part C or Part D to establish a more comprehensive coverage plan.