How can individuals under 65 qualify for Medicare based on their disability status?

Individuals under 65 can qualify for Medicare based on their disability status by being diagnosed with specific conditions such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This eligibility allows them to access Medicare benefits without the typical waiting period that applies to most disabilities.

When a person is diagnosed with ESRD, which is a permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant, they can become eligible for Medicare as soon as the treatment starts. Similarly, a diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, grants immediate access to Medicare coverage, regardless of age or the waiting period usually required after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance payments. This provision acknowledges the critical nature of these medical conditions and aims to provide timely healthcare support to individuals facing significant health challenges.

In contrast, other options such as the requirement of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for 12 months would only apply to those whose disabilities do not meet the criteria for immediate termination of the waiting period. Completing a state health program for 18 months is not a pathway to Medicare eligibility, and working for 7 years while paying Medicare taxes pertains to eligibility for premium-free Medicare Part A, which generally applies to individuals 65 and older or