Is an individual with permanent resident alien status eligible for Medicare?

Example: Mr. Enriquez is 65 years old. He is a citizen of Venezuela. He lived and worked in the United States between 1965 and 1973, and then moved back to Venezuela. Two years ago, Mr. Enriquez returned to the U.S. to live with his daughter and her family. He applied for and received permanent resident alien status, and a year ago he started working part-time at a local restaurant. Mr. Enriquez is mindful that his good health may not last forever, and asks if he can get into Medicare. 

The answer to Mr. Enriquez's question depends on whether or not he has earned enough credits through work covered under the United States Social Security system. He needs 40 credits to be entitled to health insurance under Medicare. An individual receives one credit for each quarter he/she has worked. Since it appears that Mr. Enriquez has worked a total of nine years in the United States, he may be only a few credits short of reaching the required 40 credits. He could be eligible for Medicare after one more year of work. 

What happens if Mr. Enriquez cannot continue to work until he earns 40 credits? He would have to meet a five year continuous residency requirement that applies to uninsured aliens who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence. In this case, he would be eligible for Medicare benefits at age 70. Exceptions to the five year residency rule exist, however, for permanent resident aliens who have end-stage renal disease and who marry U.S. citizens. 

Sources:  Soc. Sec. Act §1811; 42 U.S.C. § 426; 42 C.F.R. § 406, et seq. ; 42 C.F.R. § 407, et. seq.

For more information, see http://www.hapnetwork.org/original-medicare/elig-enroll.html

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