How to Apply for Medicare Disability in the State of Florida

Medicare, founded in 1965, is a national health care program that was created to provide insurance for elderly Americans. In 1972, Medicare law was changed to include disabled citizens. Medicare benefits are vital to the lives of many disabled individuals, because they include comprehensive hospital, medical and drug coverage.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine whether you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. To qualify, you must be a United States resident, at least 18 years of age, and have been diagnosed with a medical condition that will keep you out of work for at least a year or that has been deemed terminal. You must also meet a work history minimum. Younger applicants can qualify with a shorter work history.

• 2

  Apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can do this one of two ways. You can apply online through the SSA website. This is helpful for those who have mobility limitations, because they can apply from their home computer and do not have to take as many trips to the SSA office. The other way to apply is to contact your local SSA office and set up an appointment to apply in the office.

  Requirements for application include proof of income from the previous year, Social Security number, checking account information, doctor contact information, medical records, a list of drugs you take, information about your last five jobs, and any information about insurance or workers' compensation claims you may have filed.

• 3

  Wait 21 months after you begin receiving your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) checks. At this point, you should receive a package in the mail from Social Security explaining the Medicare benefit, along with your Medicare card. Those who receive SSDI are automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B, and the Part B premium is deducted from their SSDI check.

• 4

  Select a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan if you want one. You remain in your initial enrollment period until the 27th month after you began receiving SSDI benefits, so this is the time to enroll into any plans you'd like. If you need help selecting a plan, Florida's Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program can offer assistance.

• 5

  Begin using your Medicare benefit beginning the first day of the 25th month after you began receiving your SSDI benefits. At this point, your Medicare is effective.