There are three major ways to qualify for Medicare in Iowa. You may be eligible for Medicare if you meet the age requirement, receive disability benefits, or have been diagnosed with certain health conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and End-Stage Renal Disease. We’ll explain the eligibility requirements for Medicare below.
Qualify for Medicare by Age
Most Medicare enrollees in Iowa and in general qualify for Medicare due to meeting the age requirement. If you are 65 years old or older and meet the general requirements for Medicare, you are qualified to enroll in Medicare. The general requirements to qualify are:
- Being a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of at least five years
- Receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits
- Being a government employee or having a spouse that is a government employee
Your first eligibility period begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after your 65th birthday, known as the Initial Enrollment Period. If you qualify for Medicare due to age, you can sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period or choose to delay your enrollment.
The second enrollment period is the General Enrollment Period. You can sign up for Original Medicare during this period, which starts January 1 and ends March 31, if you didn’t during the Initial Enrollment Period. However, late enrollment penalties are common when using the General Enrollment Period.
Disability Benefits
Iowa residents who receive certain disability benefits can also become eligible for Medicare. Receiving disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board can make you eligible to enroll in Medicare. If you receive Social Security disability benefits for up to 24 months, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and End-Stage Renal Disease
You can also be eligible for Medicare if you are diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). People diagnosed with ESRD must either need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant. Medicare coverage will kick in after the first dialysis treatment and will end if the recipient no longer needs regular dialysis or has received a kidney transplant.
If you are diagnosed with ALS, you will qualify immediately.
At Midwest Medigap, we will help you find the right Medicare solution. Call us today for help and more information.
