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Can I get Medicare before age 65?

Can I get Medicare before age 65?

Eligibility
Last updated: 
April 10, 2026
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The short answer

Yes, in certain situations. People under 65 can qualify for Medicare if they have received Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months, have ALS, or have been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease.

The full explanation

Medicare isn't just for people turning 65. There are three situations where you can qualify earlier than that. The most common is disability. If you've been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly called SSDI, for 24 consecutive months, Medicare coverage kicks in automatically at the start of your 25th month. That two-year waiting period is one of the harder parts of the disability system, since it leaves a gap that many people fill with Medicaid or marketplace insurance in the meantime. The second situation is ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. If you're diagnosed with ALS, Medicare coverage begins the same month your SSDI payments start. There's no two-year wait. The third situation is End-Stage Renal Disease, meaning permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a transplant. In that case, you can apply for Medicare directly, and coverage typically begins after a short waiting period that depends on whether you're on dialysis or have had a transplant. Outside of these three situations, there's no general early enrollment option. If you're under 65 and don't fit one of these categories, Medicare isn't available to you yet. It's worth checking with a local Medicare counselor if you're unsure which path applies to your situation.

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In 

Utah

 specifically

Utah's SHIP program, run through the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), offers free one-on-one counseling and can help you understand your options if you qualify for Medicare before 65.

Two elderly men in a nursing home paid for by medicare sitting at a wooden table outdoors, one showing the other something on a tablet, with drinks on the table.

What this means for you

For you, this means if you or a family member is under 65 and dealing with a long-term disability, kidney failure, or ALS, Medicare may already be available, and it's worth looking into sooner rather than later.

Related Questions

Do I qualify for Medicare if I receive Social Security Disability?

Do I qualify for Medicare if I have ESRD or ALS?

When do I become eligible for Medicare after qualifying for SSDI?

How does Medicare work if I am under 65 and disabled?

Can I buy Medigap if I am under 65 and disabled?

Still have questions about Medicare?

Book a review with a licensed Medicare advisor.

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Medicare Advantage Plans in 

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Decision area Tool What it answers
Enrollment Initial Enrollment Period Calculator When your 7-month Medicare eligibility window begins and ends based on your 65th birthday
Enrollment When Should I Sign Up for Medicare? The best time to enroll based on your work status, other coverage, and age
Enrollment Special Enrollment Period Checker Whether a life event qualifies you for enrollment outside the standard windows
Enrollment Late Enrollment Penalty Checker How much extra you'll pay monthly if you missed your enrollment window
Enrollment Part B Penalty Calculator The exact 10%-per-year premium increase for delayed Part B enrollment
Enrollment Part D Penalty Calculator The 1%-per-month premium increase for gaps in creditable drug coverage
Costs Cost Scenario Planner Estimated annual spending across plan types at different health utilization levels
Costs Advantage vs. Medigap Cost Comparison True cost difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap
Costs IRMAA Calculator Whether your income triggers higher Part B and Part D premiums
Costs Part A Premium Estimator Your monthly Part A premium based on work history and quarters of coverage
Costs M3P Calculator How the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan smooths your drug costs into monthly payments
Coverage Doctor & Drug Assessment Whether your providers and prescriptions are covered by a specific plan
Coverage Part D Shopping Tool Which Part D plan has the lowest total annual cost for your specific medications
Coverage Travel & Network Risk Assessment How your coverage works outside your home area and which plan types travel best
Employer/COBRA COBRA vs. Medicare Why COBRA can trigger permanent Medicare penalties and how costs compare
Employer/COBRA Employer Coverage vs. Medicare Whether your employer plan or Medicare is primary and when to transition
Employer/COBRA HSA & Medicare Compatibility How Medicare enrollment affects HSA eligibility and what to do before enrolling
Planning Caregiver Readiness Checklist Whether you have everything in place to help a loved one with Medicare decisions
Planning Document Gatherer Which documents you need to have ready before enrolling or changing plans
Planning Medigap Fit Assessment Whether Medigap or Medicare Advantage is the better fit for how you use healthcare
Planning Medigap Open Enrollment Window Whether you're inside your one-time guaranteed issue window for Medigap
Planning Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Whether your income qualifies you for help paying Medicare premiums and cost-sharing

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