You Must Apply for Medicare

If you are turning 65 within the next 3 months or you are 65 years of age or older, you may be entitled to additional medical benefits through the Medicare program. You are required to apply for Medicare as a condition of eligibility for Medicaid.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and for certain people with disabilities regardless of income. When a person has both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare pays first and Medicaid pays second.

You are required to apply for Medicare if:

  • You have Chronic Renal Failure or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); OR
  • You are turning 65 in the next 3 months or are already age 65 or older AND your income is at or below 120% of the federal poverty level (based on the household size for a single individual or married couple), or is at the Medicaid standard. If so, then the Medicaid program can pay or reimburse your Medicare premiums. If the Medicaid program can pay your premiums, you will be required to apply for Medicare as a condition of Medicaid eligibility.

You may apply for Medicare by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or by applying on-line at: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/. You may be required to submit proof that you have applied for Medicare.

Proof can be:

  • Your award or denial letter from the Social Security Administration, OR
  • Your on-line confirmation letter stating that you have applied for Medicare with the Social Security Administration.