Am I Eligible for Medicare?

You are eligible for Medicare if you are age 65 or over. Also, certain younger disabled persons and persons with permanent kidney failure (or End Stage Renal Disease) are eligible.

You are entitled to Part A without having to pay premiums if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment. (You automatically qualify if you were a Federal employee on January 1, 1983.) If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, and you are age 65 or older, you may be able to buy it; contact the Social Security Administration.

You must pay premiums for Part B coverage, which are withheld from your monthly Social Security payment or your annuity.

Do FEHB Plans and Medicare Cover the Same Types of Expenses?

Generally, plans under the FEHB Program help pay for the same kind of expenses as Medicare. FEHB plans also provide coverage for prescription drugs, routine physicals, emergency care outside of the United States and some preventive services that Medicare doesn't cover. Some FEHB plans also provide coverage for dental and vision care.

Medicare covers some orthopedic and prosthetic devices, durable medical equipment, home health care, limited chiropractic services, and medical supplies, which some FEHB plans may not cover or only partially cover (check your plan brochure for details).

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