Since Oregon is a hot retirement destination, it makes sense to review the options for Medicare available there. Whether you live in Oregon already, or are considering retiring to the state, understanding when your Medicare coverage begins is the basis for all of your Medicare-related health care plans. In this quick guide, we’ll review the Oregon Medicare eligibility requirements for 2022.

Oregon Medicare Eligibility For Parts A And B

While most Americans choose to add at least one of the private Medicare insurance coverages available (Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D drug plans), you can’t get any of those without first being enrolled in Original Medicare.

Most Americans are eligible for Medicare because they are citizens of the country, or because they are permanent legal residents. However, being eligible for the program is only one aspect; you still can’t use your benefits until you meet one of several life milestones. These milestones include:

• Turning 65 years old
• Being diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease
• Being diagnosed with ALS
• Receiving disability income payments from the federal government for 24 consecutive months

When you gain the opportunity to enter Medicare because of illness or health diagnosis, you can enter Medicare at any age, even years before turning 65.

Most people don’t get to enter because of these conditions, though; they mostly enter when they turn 65. You should know that you don’t have to enter just because you turn 65, though. If you plan to remain covered by your employer, or spouse’s employer, plan, you may be able to delay taking Part B.

Assuming that you don’t wish to delay taking Medicare, you’ll have the chance to sign up for Parts A and B during a seven month enrollment window. This enrollment window is centered on the month that you turn 65 (your birth month). You have the right to enroll at any time during this window.

Oregon Medicare Eligibility Rules For Private Plans

Once you’re active in Original Medicare, you’ll have the right to enroll in a private Medicare plan. These eligibility rules are very similar to those for Part As and B.

The simplest rules are for Part D prescription drug plans. In order to get this coverage, you just have to have Part A or Part B. Besides this, there are no other requirements. You can get Part D coverage no matter your age when you get Medicare.

The same is also true for Medicare Advantage, or Part C, plans. Your age is not a factor in your enrollment. However, in order to get Medicare Advantage, you do have to be active in both Parts A and B.

To get Medicare Supplement Insurance, you also have to be active in both Parts A and B. In some states, it can be difficult or impossible to get Medicare Supplement Insurance if you’re in Medicare before age 65. However, Oregon is one of the few states that not only require insurance companies to offer Supplement coverage to people under 65, they also restrict how much they can charge. This is a huge boon for anyone who enters Medicare early, because it means that all three major options are available once you meet the Oregon Medicare eligibility requirements.