Many people know that Medicare is able to provide lower-cost healthcare to those who qualify. But many do not know what it takes to be eligible for these benefits in Florida or other states in the country. The process of qualifying for Medicare in Florida is pretty simple, making it easier for you to know when it is your time to apply.
MedicareFAQ, a resource for information on Medicare in Florida, says that to be eligible for Medicare in Florida, you need to either be a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident who has spent five years or more in the country. Once those two criteria are met, you will need to reach the age of 65 or receive disability through Social Security. Those with ALS and ERSD can apply early as well.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the eligibility requirements to apply for Medicare in Florida to see if you qualify for this insurance or not.
United States Citizen
Most individuals who decide to enroll in Medicare are United States Citizens. They are the ones who have paid into this system for most of their lives as they work. Each paycheck will set aside a small amount to help pay for this insurance when they reach retirement age. If you are already a United States citizen, you will just need to wait until you are 65 years old or you are on disability through Social Security in order to apply for Medicare.
Permanent Legal Resident
Permanent legal residents are able to get Medicare in Florida. They will be able to go through the same steps as a U.S. citizen when setting all of this up as well. The only extra requirement here is that the permanent legal resident must live in the United States for a minimum of 5 years before they start to receive Medicare.
This is true whether they live in Florida or any other state in the country. If you have not been here for five years by the time you turn 65, you may have to wait another year or two before signing up for Medicare.
Age 65 or Older
When you meet one of the two eligibility requirements above, you will automatically be able to enroll in Medicare in Florida when you turn 65. This will cover the basic type of insurance including Part A, which helps you get any hospital visits covered, and Part B, which helps with doctor visits. You can choose to add other parts on as well, including Part D to help out with prescriptions if you need them.
Those Who Receive Social Security
If you are under the age of 65, you may be able to receive Medicare as well. This can only happen if you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident and disabled. If you are receiving disability benefits through Social Security, then you will be able to receive Medicare, even though you are not at the minimum age requirement that others need to meet.
Have Certain Conditions
There are also certain medical conditions that someone can suffer from that make them eligible for Medicare before they turn 65 years old. This includes End-Stage Renal Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. If you have one of these conditions, you will be able to work with the Social Security office in your area to determine if you are eligible for Medicare and to get started.
Getting Your Plan Set Up
If you are 65 and have already begun to get your Social Security benefits, then you will be automatically enrolled in the Original Medicare plan. You do not need to take any additional steps to get this done. The Original Medicare plan is set up to cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and outpatient services. You will need to purchase other plans if you want more coverage like vision and dental.
For those who do not want to take social security out when they are 65 and would like to delay it, you can still apply for Medicare and get the benefits once you turn 65.
You will need to contact your Social Security office to get this started. You can choose to go with just the Original Medicare that we discussed above or add in some additional insurance based on your needs and budget.
There is also the option to use a Medicare Advantage Plan. These are going to be offered through various private insurance companies and can provide some more coverage compared to Original Medicare. They also combine Part A and Part B Medicare into one plan to make things easier.
Most plans will include Part D to help with prescription medications and interested individuals can include more insurance like hearing, vision, and dental coverage. You can work with the insurance provider to pick out the right plan for your needs.