But Medicare benefits do not begin until you are 65 years old.

Republicans said they had decided to provide other new Medicare benefits for two reasons.

Now he faces the possibility of moving again when his Medicare benefits run out.

"But my brother doesn't, and the new Medicare benefit could be useful to him."

The act, as currently structured, does not cut present Medicare benefits.

If you are within 4 months of age 65, your retirement application will include Medicare benefits.

Congress would, for the first time, prescribe the total amount of money to be spent on Medicare benefits each year.

In many cases, he said, people "can very quickly exhaust their Medicare benefits."

Previously only those over 65 could qualify for Medicare benefits.

The Medicare benefit won't kick in again unless your costs reach $5,100.