How to Qualify for a Medicare Disability

Medicare is a federally administered health care program that provides insurance for the elderly and disabled citizens of the United States. It first began providing benefits for the elderly beginning in 1965 and eventually expanded to include disabled Americans in 1972. These benefits are vital to the health and well-being of many disabled citizens because many would be without access to insurance otherwise and unable to pay their high medical bills. Medicare offers these individuals access to hospital, medical and drug coverage.

Instructions

• 1

  Figure out whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. In order to be considered eligible, you must be a legal resident of the United States with a medical condition that has been deemed either terminal or has rendered you unable to work for at least a year, as documented by a medical professional. Additionally, to qualify for payments, you need to meet a minimum work history which is based on a credit earning system. Applicants who are too young to meet the work history requirements may qualify with less.

• 2

  Apply for benefits if you meet the basic eligibility guidelines. You will apply directly through the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are two ways you can do this. First, you can apply at your local SSA office. You must call to set up an appointment. You can also apply on the SSA website. This is especially useful for those who may have mobility issues and find it a hardship to take the trip required to apply in person.

• 3

  Keep documentation handy when applying, including proof of income from when you were able to work, your Social Security number, contact information for your doctor, medical records, checking account information, information about previous employers, a list of medications you take and a list of any workers' compensation or insurance claims you may have filed in regards to the condition that has left you disabled.

• 4

  Wait 21 months after the effective date of your SSDI if you are approved. This will be the first time you receive a check. After 21 months, you will receive a package from Social Security about your Medicare benefit. This package will contain your Medicare card and will have literature explaining how Medicare works. It will also explain that since you are on SSDI, you do not need to actively sign up for Medicare Part A and B, because you are automatically enrolled effective the 24th month you have SSDI benefits.