Once you start collecting SSDI and then qualify for medicare after 2 years. Is there an enrollment period for medicare during the year or do you automatically get it when you become eligible anytime during the year.
Once you start collecting SSDI and then qualify for medicare after 2 years. Is there an enrollment period for medicare during the year or do you automatically get it when you become eligible anytime during the year.
I did find that you automatically get Medicare on the 25 month after you start receiving your SSDI.
Last edited by Donnaz; 01-30-2017 at 08:18 PM.
"If you only know your side of an issue, you know nothing." -John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
"Even what those with the greatest reputation for knowing it all claim to understand and defend are but opinions..." -Heraclitus, Fragments
Original Medicare has no limit on your out of pocket expenses (your 20% of the payment). Therefore, you must have a supplemental plan or else you are rolling the dice.
Alternatively, you can chose a Medicare Advantage plan, part C. It offers better coverage than parts A, B, and D combined. The out of pocket expenses are limited so you don't need a supplement. As a result, you get better coverage (some plans include dental and vision) at a lower cost. Two other nice things about Medicare Advantage is that you never get a bill, and you can ask for a case manager. With original Medicare, you will have to sort through bills, which can get complicated. If you have questions, you call an 800 number and wait an hour to talk to someone you have never spoken to before.
Medicare Advantage is the clear choice for me. The only drawback is that I have to select service providers within my group. Original Medicare let's me select doctors anywhere in the country. Unless you need that option, you are overpaying for Original Medicare.
Last edited by August West; 01-31-2017 at 08:08 PM.
Really like my retiree health plan at $212/month. But I think they will stop paying claims once I am eligible for Medicare even if I decline part B. Does that sound right?
Guess I need to pay both premiums and use part B even though the retiree plan would cover everything I need?
"Never turn your back on fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed." - Hunter Thompson
T5/6 complete
Has anyone worked for a long time being in a wheelchair and then been turned down when applying for SSDI? I have a lot of problems with my shoulders and hands along with other issues. Lots of things catching up with me now. Was wondering if I would run into a lot of problems when applying and having my SSDI claim accepted.
Per the last SSDI "insider handbook" I saw, someone with paralysis is a shoo-in for SSDI. Why? Because. Have you noticed how hard it is for a paralyzed person to find and maintain gainful employment? Doesn't happen too often. The goal of SSDI is to help a disabled person "return" to employment and pay taxes when they recover. If you are successfully employed and then retire (even with a pension), you are STILL paralyzed, still eligible for SSDI.
So....retire as soon as you want to. Your personal reason: 'my shoulders are giving out'. Social Security doesn't care about your shoulders! If you are still paralyzed, you qualify.
P.S. You may want to consider the current political situation in terms of potential changes to programs like SSDI.
Suggest you look into continuing any health insurance you have even after your Medicare kicks in.
Just for general information for all SSDI recipients. If you are an SSDI recipient and receive vocational rehabilitation services then return to work, the state vocational rehab department is reimbursed by the Social Security Administration for all your voc rehab costs.