Can non-citizens or green card holders qualify for Medicare?
The short answer
Non-citizens and green card holders may qualify for Medicare, but the rules depend on how long they have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Most need at least five continuous years of U.S. residency.
The full explanation
U.S. citizenship is not required for Medicare. Lawful permanent residents, commonly called green card holders, can qualify once they have lived continuously in the United States for at least five years. After meeting that residency requirement, the same basic rules apply as for citizens. If you or your spouse worked in the U.S. and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you can get Part A, which covers hospital stays, without paying a monthly premium. If you don't have enough work history, you can still enroll in Medicare but you'll pay a monthly premium for Part A. Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient care, has a monthly premium regardless of work history. People who came to the U.S. on a work visa and later became permanent residents should count their work history carefully, because those years often count toward the 40-quarter requirement. Some visa holders in the country temporarily do not qualify, even if they've been here for years, because their residency status matters, not just their time in the country. If your situation involves immigration status, it's worth talking with a benefits counselor who knows both Medicare and immigration rules before you apply.
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