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Hospital Insurance (also known as Part A)

If You Are 65 or Older

Most people 65 or older are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) based on their own—or their spouse's— employment. You are eligible at 65 if you: 

• Receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits;
• Are not getting Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, but you have worked long enough to be eligible for them;
• Would be entitled to Social Security benefits based on your spouse's (or divorced spouse's) work record, and that spouse is at least 62 (your spouse does not have to apply for benefits in order for you to be eligible based on your spouse's work) ;or 
• Worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government job to be insured for Medicare. 

If You Are Under 65

Before age 65, you are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance if you:

• Get Social Security disability benefits and have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's) disease; or
• Have been a Social Security disability beneficiary for 24 months; or
• Have worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government job and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program.

If you receive a disability annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board, you will be eligible for hospital insurance after a waiting period. (Contact your railroad retirement office for details.)