Can I Get Medicare at Age 62?
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You can get Medicare at age 62 or earlier if you have a qualifying disability, have ALS — also called Lou Gehrig’s disease — or are being treated for kidney failure. If none of these conditions apply, you're eligible for Medicare at age 65.
If you're looking to retire at age 62 and need insurance until Medicare begins, you have other options like an individual health plan, Medicaid or short-term medical insurance.
Can I retire at age 62 and get Medicare?
While you can retire and get Social Security payments at age 62, you generally can't start Medicare until you turn 65. If your goal is to retire early, you'll need other health insurance to cover the three-year period before age 65.
You may be eligible for Medicare at age 62 or younger if you have a qualifying disability or another health concern. In these cases, your Medicare start date depends on why you're eligible.
- If you're receiving Social Security Disability payments, you're typically enrolled in Medicare automatically after the 24th payment.
- If you are on Social Security due to ALS, your Medicare starts right away with no waiting period.
- Those with kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), won't be enrolled automatically. You're usually eligible beginning on your fourth month of dialysis treatments and should apply as soon as possible.
If these conditions don't apply to you, you will be eligible for Medicare at age 65. Most people who qualify are enrolled automatically, but you may need to apply for Medicare during a seven-month period around your 65th birthday.
Medicare age requirements at a glance
Here's when you can get Medicare if you're age 65, age 62 or younger and how or when to apply:
Age | Eligibility | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | U.S. citizen receiving Social Security. | If not enrolled automatically, must apply during a seven-month period surrounding your 65th birthday. |
| 62 | Must be receiving Social Security for disability, kidney failure (ESRD) or ALS. | May be enrolled automatically or must apply manually depending on the situation. |
| Under 62 | Must be receiving Social Security for disability, kidney failure (ESRD) or ALS. | May be enrolled automatically or must apply manually depending on the situation. [/list] |
What are my Medicare insurance options?
Whether you qualify at 62 or another age, you have several coverage options when you first join Medicare or are switching plans during the annual open enrollment period that runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year.
You can stay with Original Medicare, which provides good coverage but has high out-of-pocket costs. Many people who keep their Original Medicare buy Medigap plans to cover the costs left over after Medicare pays. A third option is a Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) policy that combines Original Medicare, Medigap and often prescription coverage into one plan.
If you need help selecting a plan, you can review our recommendations for Medigap and Medicare Advantage policies below.
Most people with Original Medicare also get Medicare Part D to cover their drug costs. Keep in mind you can only get Part D if you're on Original Medicare or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan.
If I can't get Medicare at age 62, what other insurance plans are available?
If you don’t qualify for Medicare, you have several other insurance options to choose from depending on your situation.
Plan type | Avg. monthly cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Employer health insurance | $108 | Coverage through your job or your spouse's employer. |
| COBRA insurance | $596 | A temporary extension of coverage you had through an employer. |
| Individual health insurance | $541 | Health Insurance Marketplace plans sold during open enrollment or when you qualify for a special enrollment period. |
| Medicaid | Often $0 | A federal program that provides health insurance based on income and family size. |
| Short-term medical insurance | $124 | Plans that provide basic, temporary coverage but are not sold in all states. [/list] |
Cost reflects the average monthly payment for an individual plan. Medicaid is often free, but rates vary by income.
Employer health plans usually provide the best coverage at the lowest cost. But while COBRA plans provide the same employer benefits, they can be expensive since you're paying the full cost on your own.
Individual marketplace prices can also seem high, but you might qualify for subsidies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help with monthly payments and other costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medicare eligibility age?
Medicare eligibility generally starts at age 65. But you can enroll in Medicare at any age if you have a qualifying disability or illness.
Can you retire at 62 and get Medicare?
You can retire and receive Social Security benefits at age 62, but you generally can't get Medicare until age 65 unless you're eligible for health reasons.
How much will I pay for Medicare in 2023?
Medicare Part A is generally free if you are receiving or eligible for Social Security benefits. In 2023, most people will pay $164.90 per month for Medicare Part B, but the amount can increase depending on income.
Sources
Medicare age requirements, costs and open enrollment dates were sourced from CMS.gov and Medicare.gov. We also obtained data on Medicare requirements and Social Security eligibility from SSA.gov. Information on individual health insurance plans was found on HealthCare.gov, and for employer coverage costs, we referenced Kaiser Family Foundation's 2021 Employer Health Benefits Survey — the latest data available.
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