Can you get medicare at 62

If you’re considering early retirement or losing employer coverage at 62, you may wonder: “Can I get Medicare before 65?”
For most people, the answer is no. But there are important exceptions. This guide explains who qualifies, who doesn’t, and how to plan your health coverage if you’re 62 and not yet eligible.

Can You Get Medicare at 62?

Medicare eligibility normally begins at 65. Turning 62 does not make you eligible for Medicare on its own.

However, certain medical or disability conditions can qualify a person for Medicare before standard age eligibility.

Who Can Get Medicare Before 65?

Only specific circumstances allow Medicare access earlier:

1. Disability Benefits

If you’ve been receiving disability benefits consecutively for 24 months, you may qualify for Medicare automatically.

2. ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

A diagnosis of ALS grants immediate Medicare eligibility without waiting periods.

3. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

If you require dialysis or a kidney transplant, you may qualify for Medicare regardless of age.

If none of these apply, you cannot get Medicare at 62.

What If You Retire at 62?

If you stop working at 62, you must secure health coverage until Medicare begins. Common options include:

• Staying on employer-sponsored coverage if available

• Choosing an individual health insurance plan

• Using retiree health benefits

• Planning ahead to ensure coverage continues until Medicare enrollment

Medicare will not automatically activate when you retire early.

How Medicare Enrollment Works at 65

When you reach eligibility age, you enter an Initial Enrollment Period that includes:

• Several months before your birthday

• Your birthday month

• Several months after your birthday

Enrolling on time helps prevent penalties and coverage delays.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I take Social Security at 62, do I get Medicare too?

No. Social Security benefits do not trigger early Medicare eligibility. Medicare begins at 65 unless you qualify through disability or severe illness.

2. Can I get Medicare early if I lose my job at 62?

No. Job loss does not provide Medicare eligibility.

3. Will delaying Medicare enrollment cause penalties?

Yes. Delaying enrollment past your eligibility window can result in lifelong penalties.

4. Can COBRA cover me until Medicare starts?

Yes, if available, but it can be expensive and doesn’t change when you qualify for Medicare.

5. Can I buy private insurance until Medicare begins?

Yes. Private health insurance is the most common solution for those retiring before Medicare eligibility.

Conclusion

Most people cannot receive Medicare at 62. Early eligibility applies only in cases involving disability, ALS, or ESRD. If you plan to retire early, make sure you have health coverage in place until Medicare begins.

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