In Florida, you likely qualify for Medicare if you are over the age of 65 since you have paid into the system throughout your lifetime. There are, however, exceptions for Medicare eligibility for people under 65 who have certain disabilities or conditions like end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
Our health insurance company in Jacksonville, Florida, Thomas & Associates, wants to share basic Medicare eligibility and enrollment information. It’s important to inform yourself of your options before your 65th birthday. You have seven months to sign up for Medicare (three months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month, and three months after your 65th birthday).
Eligibility for Medicare in Florida for People Over 65
To qualify for Medicare, you must be over 65, and you must be eligible for or be receiving Social Security benefits from the federal government. You also need to be a permanent resident of the United States and have lived in the states continuously for a minimum of five years. You must meet both stipulations in order to receive Medicare.
When you turn 65, you will have the opportunity to enroll in Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). The enrollment process for a 65-year-old depends on when you receive Social Security benefits— Railroad Retirement benefits can also factor into enrollment.
The amount you will pay toward a monthly Medicare premium will depend on how much money you paid into Medicare taxes throughout your working life. The more money you put in, the less your premium will be – this only applies to Medicare Part B, which is medical insurance.
Most people choose Medicare Part A, hospital insurance because there is no monthly premium. Medicare A and B do not cover prescription drugs, dental, hearing, or vision benefits. For more benefits, you can look at Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
Eligibility for Medicare in Florida for People Under 65
In Florida, you can receive Medicare under 65 if you are disabled or received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for over 24 months. Most patients need to go through a two-year waiting period before automatic enrollment.
Medicare will be granted on the 25th month this person receives Social Security Disability payments. If you have ALS, you do not have to wait 24 months and can receive payments from month one of SSDI payments. If you worked long enough and paid enough into Social Security, you can get these healthcare benefits.
Other Eligibility for Medicare in Florida Besides Age
If a person under 20 years old suffers from End-Stage Renal Disease, he/she is eligible for Medicare in Florida. However, to qualify for Medicare, the parents of these patients must be eligible for or be receiving Social Security benefits.
If a person isn’t a United States citizen, he/she can qualify if he/she received Social Security benefits. Many immigrants or qualified aliens have worked and paid taxes. If these individuals have paid enough taxes into Social Security and Medicare, they can be eligible.
How to Apply for Medicare in Florida
The information above is just a brief overview of the eligibility requirements for Medicare in Florida. For more detailed information about eligibility, qualifications, and tax contributions, our Jacksonville health insurance brokers can help you understand more about what is needed for you to be eligible.
At Thomas & Associates, we have years of experience helping people find and apply for the right Medicare insurance plan. We will help you choose a plan that covers the services you need and let you know how and when you are eligible.
Be aware that if you do not enroll in Medicare Part B or Part D when you are first eligible but decide later on to get these, you will need to pay a late enrollment penalty. We will make you aware of the penalties and if any will or do apply to you.
Once you are eligible for Medicare, our certified agent brokers at Thomas & Associates insurance agency in Jacksonville, Florida, can help you select a Medicare insurance plan. We will help you understand all Medicare options and benefits and choose one that works best for you, your medical needs, and your budget.
We want to help you find the right Medicare plan. Contact us to get a quote today! To work with us, click our Jacksonville Medicare insurance contact page or call 904-730-3900.