Medicare Coverage for the Disabled

In some cases, people under age 65 with a disability can qualify for Medicare.

After you receive disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months, you are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

You may also choose to receive your Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or purchase a stand-alone prescription drug Part D plan.

If you decide to return to work later, you can keep your Medicare coverage for at least 8.5 years.

As long as you still meet Social Security Administration disability standards, you can continue receiving Medicare Part A hospital insurance premium-free.

Medicare Part B medical insurance coverage will also continue after you return to work, though you will owe a monthly premium.

To qualify for Medicare disability coverage, you must first apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

This lengthy process can take several months to complete.

In order to qualify for Social Security disability, you must prove you are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least a year or result in death.

It can take three to six months for the Social Security Administration to approve your disability application.

If approved, you will need to undergo a five-month waiting period before your SSDI benefits begin.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in the loss of muscle control.

There is no known cure for ALS.

If a neurologist has diagnosed you with ALS, you should qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Unlike other disabilities, you do not need to wait 24 months to qualify for Medicare.

Instead, you are immediately eligible for Original Medicare as soon as you become entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance.

Kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is the most advanced stage of chronic kidney disease.

People with ESRD need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. If you have ESRD, you can enroll in Medicare without a two-year waiting period, regardless of your age.

However, you must manually sign up for this coverage. You are not automatically enrolled.

You can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B by visiting your local Social Security office or by contacting the Social Security Administration.

If you have ESRD, you usually receive your health care through Original Medicare. You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan under specific situations.

Coverage for ESRD works differently than other types of Medicare eligibility.