Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

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If you are not 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

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Here are some simple guidelines. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

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• You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

• You are eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them.

• You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

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If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

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• You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement

• Board disability benefit for 24 months. You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.