If you are awarded Social Security disability benefits, it is important to know that you may be eligible for health insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. However, these two programs have different eligibility requirements. This blog post will focus on the basics of Medicare eligibility. To begin, Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and old and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. A federal agency called the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services runs Medicare. Because it is a federal program, Medicare has set standards for costs and coverage. This means an individual’s Medicare coverage will be the same no matter the state they live in. Additionally, Medicare has two parts – hospital insurance and medical insurance. Most people do not have to pay for hospital insurance, but most people must pay for medical insurance. People with Medicare generally will be responsible for paying part of costs for things like monthly premiums for medical and drug coverage as well as deductibles and coinsurance.
Individuals found eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are also eligible for Medicare after a 24-month qualifying period. The first 24 months of disability benefit entitlement is the waiting period for Medicare coverage. The Social Security Administration counts one month for each month of disability benefit entitlement. Previous periods of disability also may be counted towards the 24-month Medicare qualifying period under very specific circumstances. Also be aware that Medicare coverage will be affected if you engage in work or trial work period. You can contact Midwest Disability to be referred to a Medicare attorney to better understand the Medicare eligibility and process.
