Free Tools
Medicare Eligibility Checker
Enter your date of birth and situation and this tool tells you whether you're eligible for Medicare, which enrollment window you're in, and when coverage could start. Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months — the 3 months before your 65th-birthday month, that month, and the 3 months after, and signing up in the first three months means coverage starts with no gap.
What the checker tells you
- Whether you're eligible now, and on which pathway — age, disability, ALS, or ESRD.
- Which enrollment window you're currently in.
- The earliest date coverage could begin.
- Whether a late-enrollment penalty would apply.
The rules behind it
Eligibility at 65 requires U.S. citizenship or five years of continuous lawful permanent residence. Earlier eligibility comes after 24 months of Social Security Disability Insurance, immediately with ALS, or generally in the fourth month of dialysis with end-stage renal disease. See Medicare.gov.
If you're still working
Coverage from active employment at an employer with 20 or more staff lets you delay Part B without penalty, with a Special Enrollment Period of 8 months after the employment or the group coverage ends, whichever comes first afterwards. Retiree coverage and COBRA do not count — see Medicare.gov on working past 65.
What it costs if you're eligible
Part A is usually premium-free with 40 work quarters. Part B is $202.90 a month in 2026 for most people, with a $283 annual deductible (CMS).
This is an estimate, not a determination
Only Social Security can determine your eligibility officially. Use this to know what to expect and when to act, then confirm at ssa.gov. No personal information is stored by this tool.
What to do next
Read the enrollment periods, then how to enrol.
Not sure which of these fits you? A free 15-minute call with a licensed local advisor sorts it out — no pressure, and no cost to you. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For a complete list of every plan in your county, use Medicare Plan Compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Questions, answered
Is this checker official?
No — it's an estimate based on the published federal rules. Only Social Security can make an official eligibility determination, and this tool doesn't store anything you enter.
What if I'm still working at 65?
If your employer has 20 or more employees you can usually delay Part B safely and get a Special Enrollment Period of 8 months after the employment or the group coverage ends, whichever comes first. With a smaller employer, Medicare generally pays first and you need Part B at 65.
Can I check eligibility for my spouse too?
Yes — run it separately for each person, since eligibility depends on individual birth dates, work records, and circumstances. Spouses can qualify on each other's work record for premium-free Part A.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — When can I sign up for Medicare?
- SSA — Sign up for Medicare
- Medicare.gov — Working past 65
- CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
Figures are for 2026 and come from the official sources above. Plan-specific costs vary by county and carrier — confirm yours on Medicare Plan Compare or with a licensed agent.
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Content reviewed by Brian Penner, Independent Medicare advisor — no pressure.