Medicare is a health insurance program provided by the federal government to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are:
- 65 years of age or older;
- Disabled; or
- Have End-State Renal disease.
It is also possible for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States, who would not ordinarily qualify for Medicare, to receive certain Medicare benefits if such individual is:
- Already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board;
- Eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits, but haven’t yet filed for them; or
- Previously had Medicare-covered government employment;
- Married to a federally recognized spouse who currently or previously had Medicare-covered government employment; or
- Under the age of 65 and has
- Received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months; or
- End-Stage Renal Disease and meets certain requirements.
Unlike Medicaid/Medi-Cal, eligibility for Medicare is not dependent upon a recipient’s income and resources. However, you should be aware that Medicare may pursue reimbursement for the fees it paid on a recipient’s behalf in the event that the recipient or recipient’s estate receives a money judgment or court award related to the claim for which Medicare paid the recipient’s medical costs.
If you or your loved one are interested in learning more about Medicare, please contact our office.
See also our article on Medicaid Qualifications by clicking here.