Before choosing a Medicare plan, it is beneficial to understand the fundamentals of Medicare. Medicare provides health insurance to Americans aged 65 and above, as well as people with certain disabilities (who may be younger than 65). There are three basic requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for Medicare:

• You must be at least 65 years of age

• You must hold U.S. citizenship status for at least five years

• You must have a qualified disability if you are under the age of 65

You must actively sign up for Medicare, as it does not automatically kick in when you qualify.