Medicare Coverage

Medicare Coverage and Social Security

If you are unable to work and need to apply for Social Security disability benefits you may have questions about when Medicare coverage will be available to you.  If you have been deemed disabled by the SSA, you will be offered one of two public health insurance options: Medicare or Medicaid. 

In this post we will be discussing Medicare.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and disabled individuals under 65 years old who receive SSD benefits and meet the eligibility requirements.

Medicare is paid through FICA taxes, the same taxes that are paid towards Social Security and Social Security Disability benefits.

Individuals approved for SSD benefits are eligible for Medicare two years and five months after the determined start date of disability.

It is important to know that there are different parts of Medicare that provide different levels of coverage. 

Part A coverage includes hospitalization and Part B covers doctor’s appointments and emergency room visits. Part C is your private insurance option purchased by you, that expands upon parts A and B. Part D is your prescription drug coverage. 

Those on Medicare, like most health insurances, may still be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs for their treatment.

Because there are so many parts and components to Medicare, many find Medicare coverage to be overwhelming and confusing. It is important to know, that you have options, and you have help.

At Berger and Green, we help you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, and we will represent you if you are denied for benefits.  Our firm is partnered with the Insurance Branch, a company that will help guide you through the Medicare process. When our clients receive a favorable decision for Social Security disability benefits, we provide them with the information needed to get Medicare coverage. 

If you become disabled and will be unable to work do not hesitate to apply. The process of obtaining these benefits can take a long time. You should begin applying for disability benefits as soon as you feel you cannot work anymore.

Call the Social Security Disability attorneys at Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 for a free no obligation consultation to discuss your claim. 

Source: SSA.gov, “Medicare Benefits.”