If you’ve suffered an injury that leaves you unable to work, you could have eligibility for Medicare Disability benefits. However, not everyone can qualify.
Losing your ability to work can leave you in a difficult financial situation. It becomes a challenge to pay for your medical treatment and equipment without a steady income. If you don’t have other insurance, treating a severe disability gets expensive quickly.
You don’t have to be 65 years old to receive disability benefits from Medicare, but it’s critical to make sure you qualify. Here’s what you need to know about medicare disability requirements.
If You’re Not 65
When you’re unable to work, you need all the help you can get to maintain your quality of life after an injury that leaves you disabled. Medicare can help you if you’re under the age of 65 if you meet the following requirements.
- You’ve received disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) for at least 24 months
- You have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
After 24 months of SSA or RRB disability payments, individuals under the age of 65 automatically receive Medicare Parts A and B benefits. You don’t need to enroll separately. Watch for your Medicare card in the mail three months before you reach your 25th month of disability.
You can choose to delay Part B coverage if you already have insurance that covers doctor visits, supplies, and other medical items. If you need drug coverage, you might have options to add Medicare Part C or D.
What’s the Fine Print?
As long as you maintain status as “medically disabled” and meet the requirements above, there are few exceptions to receiving Medicare Disability benefits.
- If you have a longterm, chronic illness separate from your disability, you can still receive Medicare Disability benefits. Having dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other mental illness, you have eligibility while medically disabled.
- If your treatment is “maintenance only” for a degenerative or lifelong illness, you can still receive these benefits.
- If you go back to work, you maintain eligibility as long as you have a “medically disabled” status.
Medicare monitors your activity if you decide to work again. They’ll outline a Trial Work Period (TWP) and Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). However, as long as you have your “medically disabled” status and don’t exceed maximum work hours or income, you can keep your Medicare Disability coverage.
Navigating eligibility details and available Medicare plans can be challenging. To help determine your eligibility for disability coverage, find more information through a website like https://medicarewire.com
Get Coverage By Knowing Your Medicare Disability Requirements
Knowing the Medicare Disability requirements can help you get more coverage for your medical expenses. Severe disabilities that leave you unable to earn an income don’t need to put you into financial hardship. If you have eligibility, take advantage of Medicare Disability coverage!
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