John Burson  edited Monday, May 1, 2017

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Medicare is a social insurance program, provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older (younger people with disabilities) who have worked and paid into the system.

Eligibility
Premiums are entirely waived, if :

• They are 65 years or older and U.S. citizens or have been permanent legal residents for 5 continuous years, and they or their spouse (or qualifying ex-spouse) has paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. or
• They are under 65, disabled, and have been receiving either Social Security SSDI benefits or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits; they must receive one of these benefits for at least 24 months from date of entitlement (eligibility for first disability payment) before becoming eligible to enroll in Medicare. or
• They get continuing dialysis for end stage renal disease or need a kidney transplant. or
• They are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance and have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).