Medicare

To ensure Medicare is able to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare for older Americans and people with disabilities, , including many living with MS.

Who is eligible for Medicare:

• Social Security retirement recipients over 65 years old
• Individuals who have received Social Security disability benefits for >24 months
• Individuals who receive Railroad Retirement Benefits
• Individuals who have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or "Lou Gerhig's Disease")

Medicare and Medicaid can sometimes be confused with each other. Medicaid is a joint federal and state healthcare program for low-income people that is run at the state level. Medicare is a federal entitlement program for which an individual's income and assets are not considerations in determining eligibility.

People living with MS can qualify for Medicare coverage before age 65 if the Social Security Administration determines they are permanently disabled and they have received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for more than 24 months.

People with MS are also eligible for Medicare when they reach age 65 if they receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. Individuals who retire early and choose to initiate Social Security retirement benefits at age 62 must still wait until they are 65 to receive Medicare.

Find answers to your Medicare questions.