I'm a green card holder who's been in the US for 4 years and turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare?

Question

Nikki Rowland · Accepted Answer

You must have lived in the US for a min of 5 years. At that time you will likely have a Premium for Part A as well as the normal Part B premium since you have not lived her and worked at least 40 Quarters.

Answered by Nikki Rowland on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC & NC

Answered by Nikki Rowland Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

No! the rules is you have to be a resident 5 years. Since you don’t have 40quarters of work history you’ll pay premium for part A and part B

Mike Alexander · Answer

no you must work at least 10 years to be eligible for Medicare . you can check wih your  state for medicaid as you will not qualify for Medicare

Steve and Sue Brauer · Answer

Green card holders have to have lived in the US for at least 5 continuous years and either qualify for a disability or reach the age of 65. They also may have to pay a premium for their Part A hospitalization coverage if they have not worked enough quarters and paid into the Social Security system

Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Bilgere · Answer

Unfortunately no. In order to be eligible for Medicare you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for 5 years. Once you have passed the 5 year requirement and have turned 65 then you are eligible to enroll. The cost of your Medicare will depend on the number of quarters you or your spouse has paid into the system. If you have less than 40 qualifying quarters then you will have a premium for Part A and your Part B. The Part A premium will be based on the number of quarters you do you have, less than 30 hours or 30-39 hours. The actual price will be determined in the year you enroll as those costs change each year.

Answered by Mark Bilgere on October 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AR, IN & LA, MN, NE & OK

Answered by Mark Bilgere Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

No. In order to be eligible for Medicare you must have worked at least 40 quarters (10 years) in the USA.

Larry Dalton · Answer

No.  To be eligible as a green card holder, you must live in the United States for five years before applying for Medicare.

Voss Speros · Answer

Voss Speros here, the Greek god of Medicare, talking about Medicare today. So, the question I got is, "I've been in America for about four years. I'm a green card holder and I'm turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare, or when am I eligible for Medicare?"

Well, you're not eligible for Medicare unless you've been in the country for at least five years. So that's the first thing. Second thing, once you turn 65 and you've been in the country for five years, you can apply for Medicare. You have to pay your Part A premium. It's like $550 plus. And then your Part B premium is about $202 right now.

So if you want those four years, that will go towards your ten years, your ten years, 40 quarters of paying for your Part A. The more you build, the less you pay for Part A. Keep working and build those, and then get that Part A covered. But you gotta wait five years before you can apply for Medicare here in America.

All right, hope that helps, and we'll talk to you soon.

Steven Litzsinger · Answer

Once you have been in the US for 5 continuous years and meet the federal requirements, you can enroll in Medicare. If you haven't worked in the US and earned the credits necessary, you may have to pay a premium to access Part A and Part B benefits through Social Security. It is best to plan ahead and reach out to the a local, trusted broker that can help you navigate the requirements, gather the necessary documentation, and be prepared for exploring all of your options once you have been in the US for 5 continuous years. 

There are other, very specific situations, that non US citizens may be eligible for state and federal benefits. A full list of eligible people/situations can be found on Medicare.gov. 

Or, you can speak with a licensed Medicare Agent that can help you navigate the state and federal programs that are available to you.

Jason Denniston · Answer

At 65, Medicare is usually available, but for green card holders there’s a 5-year continuous residency rule to meet first. Since you’re at 4 years, you’d likely need to wait until you hit that 5-year mark to enroll. This would be a good time to talk through your timing and options with a broker who can keep you on track.

Answered by Jason Denniston on April 26, 2026

Broker Licensed in IN, CO, FL & 10 other states

Answered by Jason Denniston Medicare Insurance Agent

Sandy Johnson · Answer

A Green Card holder must live in the US for 5 years to become Medicare eligible, however if you have a qualifying disability you may be eligible earlier.

Bubi Gorgevich · Answer

By age, you could get Medicare, but by your total stay in the USA and work history, you may not. If you have worked for at least 10 years in the USA with a work permit, you will collect 40 credits, which makes you eligible for Medicare. 
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.

David Quintal · Answer

No, a green card holder would need 5 years residency in the USA to be eligible for Medicare.
This rule applies even if an individual is turning 65.

Sam Duffield · Answer

You aren't eligible for Medicare until you have lived in the U.S. for 5 years. In most cases, you also need to be age 65 or older.

Tina VanPhung · Answer

To be eligible for Medicare as a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you must:
- Be age 65 or older 
- Have lived legally in the U.S. for at least five continuous years

You do not yet meet the 5-year lawful residence requirement. Once you reach five whole years, you can enroll in Medicare (Part A and Part B), even if you have never worked in the U.S.— but you will likely pay monthly premiums for Part A unless you or your spouse has 40 quarters of U.S. work history. And depending on your household income, you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program.  Check with your local DHS office to see if you are eligible.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

As a green card holder, since you have only worked for 4 years rather than the required 10 years, you can still pay for Medicare by making a monthly payment. You are best to make an appointment to see a counselor so that you are getting legitimate advice from an expert. With an appointment, you won’t have to wait long since those who just drop in, can expect waiting sometimes for many hours!

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Legal residents must live in the US for at least 5 years in a row, including the 5 years before applying for Medicare.

Walt Smith · Answer

You must be 65 years old
and a US citizen or a legal resident for at least five  years. That is a requirement for to be eligible for Medicare

Vernon Jones · Answer

No, a green card holder who has been in the United States for 4 years is not automatically eligible for Medicare. Generally, green card holders need to reside in the US for at least five years to be eligible for Medicare.

Answered by Vernon Jones on August 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC & SC

Answered by Vernon Jones Medicare Insurance Agent

James Stang · Answer

Medicare is based on paying in via working for 40 quarters. Unless you can qualify through a spouse, you need to speak with someone at Social Security to check on qualification.

Valerie Schurman · Answer

Unfortunately you have to have lived in the united stAtes for 5 years to be eligible     you can contact a social security office if you need more information    thanks

Melanie Rogers · Answer

Medicare states that an individual is eligible for Medicare if they are 65 and have resided in the U.S. continuously as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. So you would have to wait until your fifth year anniversary. Melanie Rogers, contact me.

Answered by Melanie Rogers on April 16, 2026

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, OH & TX

Answered by Melanie Rogers Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Greenberg · Answer

Yes, there is a special form that needs to be used. I have those forms and use them all the time.

Sandy Nelson-Tittsworth, CMIP · Answer

You must have 10 years of working experience to qualify for Medicare. Four years is insufficient you can validate that with Social Security as well.

Fred Manas · Answer

No, as a green card holder with only 4 years in the US, you are not yet eligible for Medicare. To qualify for Medicare, you need to have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and lived in the US continuously for 5 years. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Lawful Permanent Resident: You need to hold a green card, which grants you permanent residency in the US. 
Continuous US Residence: You must have lived in the US for 5 years continuously, meaning you've maintained your primary residence in the US during that time. 
Age: You need to be 65 years old or older. 
In your case, you're 4 years into your US residency and haven't met the 5-year requirement. You'll need to wait until you've been a green card holder and lived in the US for 5 continuous years to be eligible for Medicare. 
What happens when you're eligible:
You'll need to apply for Medicare, which can be done through the Social Security Administration or online. 
You may need to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) if you haven't worked in the US for the required 40 quarters (10 years). 
If you do have the required work history, you can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). 
You can also enroll in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) if you have Part A and/or Part B.

Gary Henderson · Answer

No 
You must live and work here a minimum of 5 years to qualify for Medicare and social security 
To get part A for no charge you must have 10 years in the United States working 
If you have 5 years you can still get part A but you have to pay a monthly premium for that and it's quite expensive typically 
If you're married and your spouse has qualified credits for the 10 years, then you can piggyback off of your spouse and get Medicare benefits 
This is based on often spouses. Don't work for whatever reason. Just one does and therefore they are eligible to use their spouse's benefits to get Medicare

Mark Boone · Answer

You are not eligible yet as you need to reside in the US for 5 continuous years as a permanent resident

Deborah Webster · Answer

you will need to discuss with the Social Security office as to whether you have any eligibility for Medicare and what the cost will be for Part A or Part B

Rodolfo Rojas · Answer

You must be 65 years or older. You must hold legal permanent residency or U.S. citizenship by naturalization. Furthermore, you must be residing in the United States for at least 5 years in a row to use the Medicare benefits.

Answered by Rodolfo Rojas on August 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in NV, AL, AR & 36 other states

Answered by Rodolfo Rojas Medicare Insurance Agent

Mel Stevens · Answer

Original Medicare has 2 primary components. Medicare Part A which covers items like Hospital Visits and skilled nursing, Home Health care and Hospice Care. Per Medicare guidelines in order to be eligible for part A you must have worked 40 quarters or 10 years in the system with the U.S. In general, there is no premium paid for Part as long as you meet those guidelines. However, you could be eligible for Part A at age 65 but you will have to pay a premium for the Medicare coverage. Medicare Part B covers all of your doctors / specialist visits, outpatient surgeries, durable medical equipment, lab work, Cat Scans, X-rays, etc. Depending on the situation you may be eligible for Part B but you would have to pay a premium for the coverage.

Answered by Mel Stevens on April 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Andre Cabral · Answer

You need to wait another year to meet the five-year continuous residency requirement before you become eligible for Medicare.

Chad Hardy · Answer

Yes — green card holders can get Medicare, but they must have 5 continuous years of U.S. residency as a lawful permanent resident before they’re eligible. If you're turning 65 but have only been in the U.S. for 4 years, you aren’t eligible just yet. You’ll become eligible as soon as you reach the full 5-year residency mark, and at that point you can enroll in Part A, Part B, and the rest of Medicare just like anyone else.

If you haven’t worked 40 quarters in the U.S., you’re still eligible once you hit the 5-year residency requirement, but you would pay a premium for Part A. For 2025, the Part A premium is $278/month with 30–39 work credits, or $506/month with fewer than 30 credits. Part B has the same standard premium for everyone regardless of work history.

Ingrid Kollmann · Answer

You must be in the US for at least 5 years.... you might need to apply for the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid until you have reached the 5-year residence requirement.

Shahwali Hotaki · Answer

Answer in simple terms:
As a green card holder, you’ll be eligible for Medicare after you’ve lived in the U.S. for 5 continuous years. At that point, when you turn 65, you can apply — but unless you (or your spouse) have 10 years of work history paying Medicare taxes, you’ll need to pay for Part A.

Tony Merwin · Answer

You can be eligible for Medicare as a legal resident who is age 65, but if you do not have 10 years or tax credits you could end up having to buy Medicare as you will most likely not qualify for Medicare Part A at no cost. For many people in this scenario, an ACA plan is often a more logical choice.

Answered by Tony Merwin on June 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 29 other states

Answered by Tony Merwin Medicare Insurance Agent

Ray Rios · Answer

Have you contributed to Medicare Taxes for more than 20 years? Medicareorg website will give you the requirements you will need to meet. Every person's needs are different. Do you have an agent in your area?

Answered by Ray Rios on November 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ, CO, FL & KY, MO, NM & TX

Answered by Ray Rios Medicare Insurance Agent

Brenda Watson · Answer

To be eligible for medicare part a you need forty credits. To earn forty credits, that's ten years of full time employment paying into the system.  Have you done that?

Greg Strasma · Answer

You need to be a permanent resident of the United States for 5 years to become eligible for Medicare.  When you hit your 5-year anniversary date, contact Social Security and ask them to turn on your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

Eligibility for premium free Medicare Part A coverage depends on having worked and paid into payroll taxes for 10 years (40 quarters) or qualifying for it thru a spouse who has worked and paid into payroll taxes for those 10 years (40 quarters).

If you do not have a qualifying spouse to earn premium free Medicare Part A coverage, once you reach your 5-year anniversary date of being a permanent resident of the United States you can purchase Medicare Part A coverage.

Rene Apack · Answer

No, you are not eligible because you have not completed 40 quarters, which is equivalent to 10 years of paying into Medicare.
If you continue to work and complete 10 years of paying into Medicare, you will be eligible for Medicare.
You may purchase a different policy to provide you with some medical insurance.

Emmond Wills · Answer

To be eligible for Original Medicare (Parts A & B) at age 65 (or via disability), you generally must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who has been residing in the U.S. continuously for at least 5 years

Answered by Emmond Wills on October 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AZ, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Emmond Wills Medicare Insurance Agent

Gregory Brown · Answer

Yes because you will have met the 5 year residency requirement, you will need to enroll during the 7 month initial enrollment period.

Dalyaness Martinez · Answer

Depends. Have you worked here? If not, then is available to you for a monthly premium. We can discuss more of your case if you want.

Wayne Hartzler · Answer

No, noby t yet. You must have lived continuously for at least 5 years. And then you will need to qualify for Medicare either by age, turning 65, or being on disability for 25 months.

Ranjit Badhan · Answer

Not eligible because you are in US only for 4 years . 5 years continuous stay in US is necessary. After 5 years of stay you may be eligible but you you will be required to pay for Part A as you won’t have 40 credits of work .Your situation is considered delayed eligibility. You shouldn’t be penalized as soon as you become eligible after the 5th year.

Answered by Ranjit Badhan on January 26, 2026

Agent Licensed in CT, FL, MA & NY, OH, TX & WA

Answered by Ranjit Badhan Medicare Insurance Agent

Anita Hawkins · Answer

To be eligible for Medicare, green card holders must be 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five continuous years. Once you have been a lawful permanent resident for 5 years (after turning 65), you will be eligible.

Answered by Anita Hawkins on July 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in NC

Answered by Anita Hawkins Medicare Insurance Agent

Julius Baradas · Answer

You will become eligible for Medicare once you hit the 5 year mark. And if a person who has at least 40 quarters of work credits then your Part A coverage will be premium free. If not you will most like pay a monthly premium in addition of your Part B premium.

Answered by Julius Baradas on January 19, 2026

Agent Licensed in CA

Answered by Julius Baradas Medicare Insurance Agent

I'm a green card holder who's been in the US for 4 years and turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare?

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