Yes, you are eligible to purchase coverage through the Marketplace, and if your income is between at least 100% of poverty (for buying Marketplace coverage in 2024, that means an income of $14,580 for an individual) you will qualify for premium tax credits to help make Marketplace coverage more affordable. If you live in a state that has expanded its Medicaid program to cover adults under age 65 with incomes up to 138% of poverty (about $20,120 for an individual), you might also be eligible for this coverage, depending on your income.

If you apply for and receive Marketplace coverage and subsidies, keep in mind that your eligibility for Marketplace subsidies will end when your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage automatically begins after the two-year waiting period.  At that point, you will have to pay the full price for your Marketplace coverage, but you could instead drop your Marketplace coverage and enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D.  If you keep both Medicare and Marketplace coverage, Medicare will be the primary payer.

Once your Medicare coverage begins, depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare or for extra help with premiums and cost sharing for your Part D prescription drug benefits.  A good place to turn for information about these programs and whether you might qualify is your local Social Security Administration office or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program in your state.  Medicare provides links and phone numbers for these and other organizations at the following website: http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/.

Browse more questions in the Early Retirees section.