Medicare is a federally funded program which provides health and hospital insurance benefits. Generally people can get Medicare if they either:
- are 65 years or older, or
- receive Social Security Disability, or
- suffer from end stage renal disease, or
- are diagnosed with ALS. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig ’s disease, or
- receive Railroad Retirement benefits
Medicare is not based on an individual’s income or assets.
The four types (parts) of Medicare:
Part A provides hospital insurance benefits. This includes inpatient hospital care, inpatient nursing home services, home health services, and hospice care.
Part B provides medical insurance benefits. This includes services from doctors and other medical practitioners, outpatient hospital services, and medical equipment. It also includes physical, occupation, and speech therapy services.
Part C is what is known as the Medicare Advantage program. People who get Medicare can choose to enroll in a private health plan. You do not have to do this. Some people enroll if what they need isn’t covered by their other insurance.
Part D provides Prescription Drug Coverage. People can get this through a stand-alone prescription drug plan or through the Medicare Advantage Plan.
How to enroll
Most people can get Medicare when they turn 65. How you sign up depends on whether you're already getting retirement benefits or not.
If you're already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you'll automatically get both parts of Medicare (Part A and Part B). You don't need to do anything. They'll send you a package and a Medicare card.
If you're not getting these benefits, you have to enroll in Medicare. You can do this by visiting a Social Security office, calling them, sending a letter, or applying online.
If you have insurance through your job or your spouse's job, you might not want to turn down Part B of Medicare. If you do, you could pay more later. If your job insurance pays after you get Medicare, it might be a good idea to enroll in Medicare first to save on healthcare costs.
Remember to keep records when you apply for Medicare, like:
- Write down the names, dates, and times of the people you talk to.
- Use certified mail if you apply by mail and ask for a receipt.
- If you apply online, save the confirmation page.
This way, you're protected if there are any issues with your application.
Last Reviewed: February 6, 2026