Medicare for Disability

Medicare is a health insurance program the U.S. government has set up for people age 65 or older or for people under 65 who are disabled or are afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or have permanent kidney failure. The program is designed to help with the cost of health care but is limited and will not cover certain medical expenses or most long-tern care. The program is financed through a portion of payroll taxes paid by workers and employers and through monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks. Medicare falls under the control of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services but you apply for it through Social Security. You can sign up for Medicare three months before you turn 65 even if you don’t plan to retire at age 65.

Do you or someone you know need to apply for Medicare for disability? Contact one of our SSA benefit professional today and get the information you need on Medicare for disability!

Many people think Medicare and Medicaid are the same program but in actuality they are two different programs. Medicaid is actually a state-run program that provides medical and hospitalization coverage to people with low income and little resources. Each state administers the program individually and has different rules for eligibility. It is possible to qualify for both programs.

Medicare is broken up into four parts:

• Part A: Hospital insurance designed to help pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (subsequent to a hospitalization), and some home health care or hospice care.
• Part B: Medical insurance designed to help pay for doctors’ services as well as other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance.
• Part C: Medicare Advantage is designed to allow people with Medicare Parts A and B to choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C. This program is available in many areas.
• Part D: Prescription drug coverage designed to help Medicare recipients pay for prescription medications.

The individual states also have programs designed to help people that can’t afford their Medicare and other medical costs. State programs can pay for some or all of the Medicare premiums, Medicare deductibles and even coinsurance for low income individuals.

You may also qualify for Medicare if you:

• Are a disabled widow or widower between the ages of 50 and 65, and have not applied for disability benefits because you are receiving another kind of Social Security benefit.
• Are a government employee and became disabled before the age of 65.
• Or your spouse or dependent child has permanent kidney failure.
• Had Medicare medical insurance in the past but discontinued the coverage.
• Turned down Medicare medical insurance when you became entitled to hospital insurance (Part A).

Do you or someone you know need to apply for Medicare for disability? Contact one of our SSA benefit professional today and get the information you need on Medicare for disability!