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Social Security Disability and Medicare Benefits

Contrary to popular belief, age isn't the only way one can qualify for Medicare. Those who are disabled and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may also qualify for Medicare. Generally, those who are eligible for Medicare due to disability are entitled to the same Medicare benefits as those eligible due to age.

  1. Disability Benefits

    • Individuals who are deemed disabled and approved to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by the Social Security Administration will receive a monetary benefit each month. The amount of this benefit is determined based on how much the applicant paid into the Social Security program (or how long they earned before applying to the SSDI program).

    Medicare Part A and Part B

    • After 24 months of receiving SSDI checks, SSDI beneficiaries are automatically enrolled into Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance). Medicare Part A is premium-free, while there is a monthly premium associated with Part B. The premium is deducted from the beneficiary's monthly SSDI checks. However, Part B is a voluntary benefit, and individuals can actively opt out of it.

    Medicare Part C

    • Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It is the portion of Medicare that allows for Medicare enrollees to receive their Medicare benefits through Medicare private health plans. SSDI beneficiaries can also select to receive their benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. They must actively sign up or switch plans during a designated enrollment period.

    Medicare Part D

    • SSDI beneficiaries may elect to take the optional Medicare Part D benefit. Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Part D has additional costs associated with it, including deductibles and premiums. To sign up, they must be in a designated enrollment period.

    Low-Income Programs

    • SSDI beneficiaries are qualified for many low-income programs to help with some of the additional costs associated with Medicare. These programs include Extra Help which is a federally administered program that helps curb some of the costs associated with Part D. SSDI beneficiaries may also qualify for Medicare Savings Programs which help with Part B premiums and other costs, and in some states, they may qualify for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs.

    Working Disabled

    • If an SSDI individual decides to go back to work, they have a nine-month trial period wherein their benefits are not affected. If the individual continues to work beyond this nine months and earns more than a set amount, then SSDI benefits are lost. However, the individual can continue receiving Medicare. After 8 1/2 years, the individual may have to pay a Part A premium.

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