It's good that you're checking for Medicare eligibility this early. If you're eligible, you have to enroll yourself first in Medicare several months before you turn 65. Majority of individuals over 65 years old, U.S. citizens, and those who have established permanent residency in the United States are probably eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance. Individuals who have Medicare eligibility upon reaching 65 include those who are either eligible or recipients for Social Security Benefits; those who are either eligible or recipients of railroad retirement benefits; those who have paid Medicare taes while working in a government job; spouses of those who have paid Medicare taes; or individuals who are dependent parents of a person who paid Medicare taes while working in a government job. If you do not fall under the mentioned categories for Medicare eligibility, you shouldn't worry because you might still be qualified to receive Medicare under a different set of qualifications. Individuals under 65 can get Medicare if they either receive or are eligible to receive SS disability benefits for at least 24 months; if they are affected by Lou Gehrig's disease; if they received disability pension under the railroad retirement board and have met the specified conditions; if they are the widow/widower or the child of an individual aged 50 or beyond, employed in a government job and has paid Medicare taes and met certain conditions of the SS disability program; if they are working for the government and have paid Medicare taes; if they suffer from kidney failure and are recipients of maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant; or, if they have a government job that is covered by Medicare. It might seem more convenient to just opt for private health insurance instead of checking if you fall under the mentioned Medicare eligibility categories. But you should keep in mind that private Individuals is costly. There are also insurance premiums when you enroll in Medicare, but the cost is usually lower compared to private health insurance policies. - June 26, 2009 @ 9:44 am