Do You Get Medicare With Disability Benefits?
If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B after two years. Your Medicare insurance coverage will begin 24 months after you qualify for disability benefits.
Sometimes, this may be earlier than the date you received your first benefit payment. You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident of at least five years to be eligible for Medicare.
If you have questions about your Medicare coverage, don’t hesitate to contact a Medicare insurance agent.
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Qualifying For Medicare When You Are Disabled
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, while Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical care. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan or a Medicare Advantage plan to help cover the costs of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. For more information about these plans, please contact one of our Medicare insurance agents.
Furthermore, note that several conditions may qualify you for Medicare under age 65, with alternative enrollment procedures than those described above.
Medicare coverage can begin as early as the first month you start dialysis, but you must actively enroll in Medicare by contacting Social Security. For example, if you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), you will be automatically registered in Medicare disability benefits the first month you receive SSI disability benefits. If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you might qualify for Medicare disability benefits but are not automatically enrolled. End-stage renal disease means kidneys are functioning at less than 10 percent of their normal function, and you’ll need to undergo dialysis or have a kidney transplant.
If you have ESRD and are not yet receiving disability benefits, you may be eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B starting the fourth month after your Kidney transplant. You must actively enroll in Medicare by contacting Social Security.
The Social Security Administration can also help you learn more about Medicare and disability benefits in any of the following ways:
- On the Social Security website.
- Over the phone, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778) from 7 AM to 7 PM Monday-Friday.
- In-person by visiting a local Social Security office.
Individuals who are eligible for Medicare may also be qualified for Medicaid, which is considered as being dual-eligible. There might be no waiting period before receiving Medicaid benefits.
In all cases, you must contact one of our local Medicare insurance agents to discuss your unique circumstances and find the best Medicare plan for you.
Tips for Choosing a Dialysis Clinic so you can Start Medicare Disability Benefits
If you are a new patient who needs to start dialysis to qualify for Medicare disability benefits, choosing a dialysis clinic can seem like an overwhelming task. You will need to consider many factors when making your decision, including the clinic’s location, distance from your home, schedule, quality of care, and more. Use the following tips to help you choose a facility that is right for you.
Location: The clinic’s location is essential to consider for both convenience and accessibility purposes. If you can find a clinic close to your home or work, it will make getting there for treatment much more accessible. Additionally, if the clinic is located in a safe and easily accessible area, it will make coming and going for appointments much simpler.
Schedule: The schedule of the clinic is another crucial factor to consider. If you can find a clinic with hours that fit your schedule, it will make attending appointments much more manageable. Additionally, some clinics offer extended hours or weekend appointments to accommodate patients with busy schedules.
Quality of care: When choosing a dialysis clinic, finding one that offers high-quality care is crucial. Make sure to research the clinic’s staff and facilities to ensure that you will be receiving the best possible care.
Visit several facilities: Once you have narrowed down your options, you must visit several facilities in person. Visiting several facilities will allow you to get a feel for the clinic and meet the staff before making a decision.
Consider cleanliness of the facility: When you visit the clinic, be sure to take note of the cleanliness of the facility. Cleanliness is crucial as it can impact your comfort level and the quality of care you receive. If the clinic is clean and well-maintained, the staff likely takes pride in their work and dedication to providing high-quality care.
Asking for recommendations: Finally, don’t forget to ask for recommendations from your friends, family, or doctor. They may know of a great clinic that you have not considered.
When choosing a dialysis clinic, there are many factors to consider. Use the tips above to help you find a facility that is right for you.
Need Help With Signing Up With Medicare?
Integrity Now Insurance Brokers is a Medicare insurance agency licensed throughout the United States.
It is vital to ensure you sign up for all of the Parts of Medicare so you are not faced with any penalties.
Lean on one of our Medicare experts, and we will ensure you obtain all the needed Medicare plans and parts of Medicare.
