Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 From Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits April 2003: " Can I receive disability benefits or payments while getting Medicare or Medicaid coverage? Yes. Medicaid and Medicare are our country's two major government-run health insurance programs. Generally, people on SSI and other people with low incomes qualify for Medicaid, while Medicare coverage is earned by working in jobs covered by Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Act or for the federal government. Many people qualify for both. If you receive Medicare or Medicaid along with your disability benefits, you do not have to do anything special or additional to obtain such coverage once you have qualified for disability. You don't have to write any letters or fill out any more forms. If and when you qualify for such coverage, the federal government will send you what you need. SSDI claimants granted disability benefits qualify for Medicare coverage. The coverage doesn't start for two years from the onset of disability -- and that means two years starting after the initial five-month waiting period. Therefore, you may be left without medical insurance coverage for several years if you don't have some other type of coverage or are not poor enough to qualify for SSI Medicaid coverage. There are three exceptions to the two-year rule: If you have end-stage renal disease with kidney failure and you require dialysis or a kidney transplant, coverage by Medicare can begin the third month after the month in which dialysis began. If you are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less and receive hospice care, coverage by Medicare can begin immediately. Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) qualify for Medicare as soon as they qualify for benefits. If you get Medicare and have low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other out-of-pocket Medicare expenses such as deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide if you qualify. Contact your local welfare office or Medicaid agency. For more general information about Medicare, contact a local SSA office or look for Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries on the SSA's website, www.ssa.gov. SSI claimants granted disability qualify for Medicaid coverage in most states. Where available, Medicaid coverage starts immediately. Only 16 states have no medically needy programs for their aged, blind and disabled. The 16 states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. " http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/product.cfm/ObjectID/03C58536-EEDE-41D7-90\ FC0E4DAA51B476/sampleChapter/5 ******************************************************** Question: Do you automatically get Medicare if you are getting Social Security disability benefits? Answer: You will automatically be enrolled in Medicare after you get Social Security disability benefits for two years. This starts 24 months from the month you were entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits. In some cases, this could be earlier than the month when you received your first check. You can get more information from the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or on their web site. (Note: If you are under age 65 and have Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), you get your Medicare benefits either July 1, 2001 or the first month you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, whichever is later.) http://medicare.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=\ 5rxs2jdh & p_lva= & p_faqid=107 & p_created=996102795 & p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0\ mcF9yb3dfY250PTEzJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9ZGlzYWJpbGl0eSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPTMmcF9jYXR\ fbHZsMT1_YW55fiZwX2NhdF9sdmwyPX5hbnl_JnBfc29ydF9ieT1kZmx0JnBfcGFnZT0x & p_li= I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] > Dear , > > Thanks! It has been as though the heaviest burden has been lifted. We will not be able to live the > way we used to with my income gone but we will have enough to meet bills. > > If you are on disability, are you eligible for Medicare; regardless of income or if your husband > has insurance through his job. I don't know anything about all of this. > > I hope that you are doing well. It has been so hectic around here that I feel as though I have > really dropped the ball in not being able to keep up with everyone. > > Hugs to you. Iris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 It takes about 6 months for SSD approval and once you get it, it is two years before medicare kicks in. marla -- [ ] SSDI and Medicare Does anyone know how long you have to wait after being approved for SSDI before you can get Medicare? Will they notify you when you're eligible or should I start the process? __________ NOD32 3548 (20081023) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 Marla and group; Unless one has been waiting for 2 years to get SSD.. I got it right away because I waited 3 years to get SSD.. (medicare) gentle hugs Clora ************************************************************ > > It takes about 6 months for SSD approval and once you get it, it is two > years before medicare kicks in. > marla > > -- [ ] SSDI and Medicare > > Does anyone know how long you have to wait after being approved for > SSDI before you can get Medicare? Will they notify you when you're > eligible or should I start the process? > > > > > __________ NOD32 3548 (20081023) Information __________ > > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > http://www.eset.com > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 i applied in 2002 and received medicare 2 yrs from when disability was approved ________________________________ From: eandsspivey <emilyspivey@...> Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 8:09:17 AM Subject: [ ] SSDI and Medicare Does anyone know how long you have to wait after being approved for SSDI before you can get Medicare? Will they notify you when you're eligible or should I start the process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 Oh Clora - that is such a good thing to know. I applied for SSD in March 2006 and am still waiting for a determination. If what you say is true, then I should get Medicare right away which would be a blessing as I have been without insurance since 2005 and I've had to forgo certain meds, treatments and tests because I couldn't afford it. You've made my day with this info.........Doreen > > Marla and group; > > Unless one has been waiting for 2 years to get SSD.. I got it right > away because I waited 3 years to get SSD.. (medicare) > > gentle hugs > Clora > ************************************************************ > > > > It takes about 6 months for SSD approval and once you get it, it > > is two years before medicare kicks in. > > marla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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