Requirements for Hospital Insurance

• To qualify for Medicare Part A, or hospital insurance, you generally need to be at least 65 years old. You must be eligible for Social Security, railroad retirement or government benefits. You also may qualify if your spouse is at least 62 years old and her work record qualifies for Social Security benefits. If you are younger than 65, you must be receiving disability benefits to qualify for Medicare. You may be eligible for Medicare at any age if you have permanent kidney failure.
  
  

Family Members' Eligibility for Medicare

• A dependent parent, an ex-spouse, a spouse or a widow or widower may be eligible for Medicare, depending on the work record of the qualifying relative. Disabled children, widows and widowers may also be eligible for Medicare at any age.
  
  

Eligibility for Other Parts of Medicare

• Medicare Part B, or medical insurance, is available to anyone 65 or over who wants to pay the premium, and to those under 65 who qualify for Medicare. The same guidelines apply to Medicare Part C, the Medicare Advantage Plan, which resembles an HMO. Anyone enrolled in any form of Medicare is eligible for Medicare Part D, the prescription drug plan.