Turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, as well as people under 65 with certain disabilities. Eligibility requirements can vary among different kinds of Medicare plans.

You can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B directly through the federal government. Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, and Medicare Part B covers doctor visits and other services.

Or, you can sign up for a private Medicare health plan. This is called Medicare Part C, and it may help you get better benefits and lower costs.

You can also sign up for a private Medicare Part D plan, which covers prescription drugs.

We can help you decide which Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan may be best for you. To speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist, call 1-866-973-4588 (TTY 711) from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, except major holidays.

Your timeframe for applying for Medicare depends on the type of plan you’re selecting, the provider, and when you want coverage to start.

Learn more at kp.org/medicare.