| The majority of people over age 65 who are U.S. | | | | free hospital insurance through Medicare if any of |
| citizens or are permanent U.S. residents will be | | | | the following categories apply to you: |
| eligible for free hospital insurance under Medicare. | | | | - You have received or were eligible to receive |
| You are eligible if you are 65 or older and the | | | | Social Security disability benefits for the last 24 |
| following categories apply to you: | | | | months. |
| - You receive or are eligible to receive Social | | | | - You have received a railroad retirement disability |
| Security Benefits. | | | | pension and/or you have meet certain |
| - You receive or are eligible to receive railroad | | | | requirements. |
| retirement benefits. | | | | - You have been diagnosed with or are affected |
| - You or your spouse (living or deceased) paid | | | | by Lou Gehrig's disease. |
| Medicare taxes during your employment in a | | | | - You have been employed by the government |
| government job. | | | | and paid Medicare taxes and/or you are qualified |
| - You are the dependent parent of someone who | | | | to draw benefits from the Social Security disability |
| paid Medicare taxes during their employment in a | | | | program. |
| government job. | | | | - You are age 50 or older and are the child or the |
| If, for any reason, none of the information in the | | | | widow(er) of a person who has been employed |
| above categories applies to you, you may still be | | | | by the government in a job for which Medicare |
| eligible to receive hospital insurance through | | | | taxes were paid and/or who was eligible to |
| Medicare if you agree to pay a predetermined | | | | receive Social Security disability benefits. |
| monthly premium. However, it is important to | | | | - You have been diagnosed with chronic kidney |
| point out that you must enroll in the hospital | | | | disease and require maintenance dialysis and/or a |
| insurance plan during the designated sign-up | | | | kidney transplant. |
| periods. Please note that in order to receive the | | | | - You receive or are eligible to receive railroad |
| maximum coverage allowed, you are required to | | | | retirement benefits. |
| enroll in the Medicare plan several months prior to | | | | - You have been employed for a designated |
| the day you turn 65. | | | | period of time in a government job that is |
| If you are under 65, you may still be eligible for | | | | guarantees you coverage by Medicare. |