Who are the Medicare beneficiaries?
To be eligible for Medicare, one must be a U.S. citizen living in the U.S. or a foreign national who has applied for legal residency and has lived in the U.S. for a minimum of five years. There are four categories of Medicare eligibility: • Social Security/Railroad Retiree: Persons aged 65 or older who are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. Medicare Part A is automatic and Part B is optional. Medicare Part A becomes available at age 65. For Medicare Part B enrollment can occur three months before, during the month of, and up to three months after a qualified individual s 65th birthday. • Social Security Disability/ESRD Recipients: People under age 65 who meet the eligibility criteria for Social Security Disability can qualify for Medicare. However, individuals must first be entitled to Social Security benefits for 24 successive months in order to get Medicare. Thereafter, Medicare Part A is automatic and Part B is optional. In addition, individuals with End S
