*Have you, or your spouse worked in the U.S. for 40 quarters (10 years) or longer ?

*Are you a citizen or a legal resident?

*Have you lived in the U.S. for 5 consecutive years?

*Are you turning 65 or qualify due to disability?

*Do you have ESRD or ALS?

There are many ways to qualify, and the time to enroll is limited to specific enrollment periods.

Once enrolled in Medicare Part A & Part B you will have TWO options in how you want your medicare coverage to work.

Keep Medicare as an active part of your care and add a Medicare Supplement plan. An additional stand alone Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) will be required to avoid future penalties.Benefit: Freedom to choose care wherever Original Medicare is accepted, and without getting referrals.

Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) combines the Part A & Part B into one plan. Prescription Drug coverage is most often included.Benefit: May also offer additional benefits not provided by Origingal Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans.

When you qualify to enroll in Medicare, but you also have access to group insurance, a retiree plan, or qualify for Medicaid, there are rules that determine what insurance pays first.

When working for a small employer with less than 20 employees, enrolling in Medicare Part B will be needed, since Medicare pays first.

When working for a large employer (more than 20 employees) then the group insurance pays first. Therefore enrolling in Medicare Part B is not necessary, as long as the group insurance is considered "creditable coverage".

When you or a spouse have worked and paid taxes in the U.S. for 10 years or longer most people qualify to enroll in Medicare Part A at no cost. Therefore that may be a good idea, even when delaying your Part B enrollment.

Medicare Part A & Part B is needed before enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).

Delayed enrollment penalties for Medicare Part B and Part D may incure if you don't have "creditable group insurance coverage".

Seeking the guidance from a reputable insurance agent can make all the difference. And the best part, there is no charge for these services.