Can I Get Medicare If I Am Unemployed? 
Yes , you can get Medicare if you are unemployed , as long as you are age 65 or older and have paid in to Medicare long enough over the years to qualify for Medicare benefits -LRB- 40 quarters -RRB- . Medicare is based on turning age 65 , so even if you retire under age 65 , you must normally wait until you are age 65 to receive Medicare . 