Those who are approaching retirement age are probably pretty familiar with Medicare, but the federal health care program is not only for the retired, it is also for the disabled worker. It may be helpful to examine the program a little closer and to see just who qualifies for Medicare.
Mainly, Medicare is the country’s health insurance program for people aged 65 and older and disabled workers who become eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Medicare program is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes workers and employers pay, but a portion is also financed through those who receive either Social Security retirement or disability payments. Most people who are age 65 and older, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for Medicare, but so too are SSDI recipients.
Eligibility for retirees is simple – once you turn age 65 you are eligible. For the disabled worker it is a bit more complicated.
Those who have been approved for SSDI will eventually be eligible for Medicare, but there is a waiting period involved. Disabled workers can start accessing Medicare after they have received SSDI benefits for 24 months. This provision was put in place in 1972 when Medicare expanded to include people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the waiting period is more like 29 months rather than 24 months because those who become eligible for SSDI benefits do not receive payments during their first five months of eligibility.
For Example:
Consider that Ron has been found disabled as of January 15, 2013 and will begin to collect SSDI benefits. Because Ron has to wait a full five months before he is eligible for his first payment, he would not receive a payment until July 2013. Ron then has to wait an additional 24 months before being eligible for Medicare, which would make him eligible for Medicare in August 2015.
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