Medicare is not mandatory. However, if you do not enroll for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a higher premium cost.

If you turn 65 and still have insurance through an employer or union, you can keep that insurance and wait to enroll in Medicare, using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that gives health coverage to some people with limited income and resources.

You can request a replacement red, white, and blue Medicare card online using your personal Social Security account. Social Security will mail your replacement card within about 30 days to the address they have on file. You can also print an official copy of your card from your secure Medicare account

In general, you are eligible for Medicare after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. There are exceptions for people with certain medical conditions.

Medicare Supplement insurance, or Medigap coverage, may help pay some healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay. These may include:

- Copayments

- Coinsurance

- Deductibles