How To Apply For Medicare Disability Benefits

The first step to getting medicare coverage if you have a disability is to apply for social security disability benefits.

How to apply for medicare disability benefits. I m under 65 and have a disability. Apply online for disability benefits. I d like to go back to work. If you have end stage renal disease esrd or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis lou gehrig s disease you don t have to wait to be on disability for two years before you can enroll in medicare. Getting medicare if you have a disability.

All other disabilities are subject to the 24 month waiting period. If you are within three months of age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly social security benefits yet you can use our online retirement application to sign up just for medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. Your disability will need to meet the standards set by the social security. How medicare works with other insurance. If you would like to pursue social security disability benefits and get medicare sooner we can help.

But because social security only allows a maximum of 12 months of retroactive benefits plus the 5 month waiting period for benefits the earliest that you can become eligible for medicare is one year after you apply for social security disability. Similarly if you apply for ssdi and are denied disability benefits you can appeal the decision. Medicare drug coverage part d there are specific times when you can sign up for these plans or make changes to coverage you already have. If you choose not to apply for medicare disability online you will need to speak with a social security representative at your local office or wait for an appointment with a representative. How to apply online for just medicare.

There is no special program for younger disabled beneficiaries medicare is medicare and the same rules and coverage apply to beneficiaries under age 65 with disability as they do to seniors. You can keep your medicare coverage for as long as you re medically disabled. Individuals on social security disability automatically receive medicare benefits after their 24th disability payment. If you appeal and the decision is reversed your 24 month waiting period will be backdated to when your disability benefits should have started. For those that can visit an ssa office phone applications can be processed at 1 800 772 1213.

For instance let s pretend you became disabled in july 2016. Can i keep my medicare coverage. Of course if you aren t receiving social security disability benefits you will have to wait until you are age 65 to be eligible for medicare. Your wait for medicare will be shorter than two years.