Can One Buy Medicare? 
Unfortunately no , you can not simply buy into Medicare . To secure Medicare benefits , you must meet certain eligibility requirements . The most common way people qualify for Medicare is by turning 65 years old . Medicare Part A -LRB- hospital insurance -RRB- is premium-free for most individuals -LRB- if you did not secure 40 credits , you would be subject to a monthly premium up to $ 426 per month -RRB- . Medicare Part B -LRB- medical insurance -RRB- requires a monthly premium -LRB- starting point is $ 104.90 per month in 2014 - can be higher for higher-income individuals -RRB- . The other way people qualify is if they 're under 65 and are receiving social security disability benefits -LRB- must have been receiving SS disability benefits for 24 continuous months -RRB- or have end-stage renal disease . Once you have Part A & Part B established , many people look into adding a Medigap plan to cover the gaps in Original Medicare -LRB- Parts A & B -RRB- and a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan if they want to have prescription drug coverage . 