What do I Need to Include on the Medicare Application?

United States residents meeting specific requirements can fill out a Medicare application. In most instances, applicants must be 65 years of age or older in order to qualify for Medicare. However, other individuals may be able to apply for Medicare if certain criteria is met. The information that one must include on a Medicare application is determined by the type of application being submitted.

People who are under the age of 65 may be eligible for Medicare if they are disabled, and have been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for a minimum of 24 months. In addition, people who are currently receiving dialysis for end stage renal disease, or those in need of a kidney transplant may also be eligible for Medicare. Lastly, those people who are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease can obtain Medicare.

If you have just reached the age of 65, and you already have social security, you do not need to take any further steps in order to fill out parts A and B of the Medicare application. These sections of the Medicare application will provide you with basic Medicare coverage. Once you reach 65 years of age, the United States government will make note of this birthday, and your Medicare card will be sent to your home address approximately three months prior to your 65th birthday.

Applicants that are not yet 65 years of age may be able to apply for social security and Medicare at the same time. This application must be filled out at least three months before your 65th birthday. To fill out this application, visit the Department of Social Security website.

Those applicants who do not already have Social Security must complete a Medicare application. This application can be found on the Social Security website listed above. To correctly complete this application, you will need to answer some basic questions. This application cannot be completed entirely online. Instead, all applicants will be required to send a hand-written application to the Social Security Department.

Anyone who is unsure about Social Security or Medicare should contact the Social Security Department. In addition, almost all basic questions can be answered by visiting the Social Security website listed above. While seemingly complex, applying for Medicare is entirely efficient once all of your questions have been answered. Keep in mind that you do not need to apply for Medicare if you are over the age of 65, and you are already receiving social security benefits.