Quote:
Originally Posted by Bevdeforges
From the Medicare website:
>>If you are not a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien who has lived in the U.S. continuously for a five-year period, please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for your Medicare enrollment and eligibility. <<
If you are not a citizen or lawfully admitted alien, the qualification criteria are different. Practically speaking, if you haven't contributed to the US Social Security system due to your immigration status, the five year residence rule usually applies. It's only logical that you have to have contributed to be eligible.
Cheers,
Bev
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I agree that you must be a US citizen or legal resident. However, the 5 years does not apply if you are a legal resident of 65 and pay for part A and B. My mother turned 65 just 2 years after entering the US and enrolled in Medicare but she had to pay for part A. In fact if she had waited, she would have had to pay a penalty for every month she waited past being eligible.
The Medicare rules that you have cited does not say you can't get Medicare. It just says that you have to contact SS.