You might think of Medicare as health insurance for older people. But younger people with certain health conditions qualify for Medicare, too. 

If you're not sure whether you're eligible, these are the guidelines.

If you're 65 or older

You're eligible if either of these apply:

• You're a U.S. citizen
• You've lived in the U.S. legally for five years in a row

You can learn about Medicare eligibility for people 65 or older.

If you're under 65

You might be eligible for Medicare if you have any of these health issues:

• A long-term disability and have been on Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for more than 24 months
• End-stage renal disease
• Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS

You can read more about Medicare eligibility for people younger than 65 at medicare.gov.