How do Social Security and Medicare work together for people with disabilities?

Question

Bill Green · Accepted Answer

For people with disabilities, Social Security and Medicare are closely connected. If you're under 65 and approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you’ll automatically become eligible for Medicare after receiving disability benefits for 24 months. At that point, you’ll be enrolled in both Part A and Part B. If you have ALS, Medicare starts right away with no waiting period. Your Part B premium will typically be deducted from your Social Security check, just like it is for those 65 and older. From there, you can choose to add a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan—or even a supplement, depending on your situation. It's a complex process, but having someone guide you through your options can really make it easier.

Answered by Bill Green on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 19 other states

Answered by Bill Green Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

They are different departments altogether, and many of your Medicare premiums can be held directly out of your Social Security account. I always recommend a person to set up their two accounts, one in www.ssa.gov and another one in medicare.gov.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Brian Moore · Answer

When considering Social Security versus Medicare, it’s important to recognize that these are two separate benefit programs from the federal government. Social Security provides financial support, whereas Medicare is health insurance coverage. These two safety net programs work together to support people with disabilities to remain as healthy as possible. As mentioned, for someone looking to gain health insurance coverage via Medicare because of a disability, they must first apply for disability benefits from Social Security.

Answered by Brian Moore on February 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Melonie Wood · Answer

When someone is on disability through Social Security, and the person has been on disability 24 months, they become eligible for Medicare, Social Security will hold back another 6 months in the event the disability is resolved, so after a total of 30 months, the person will then acquire Medicare regardless of age.

Answered by Melonie Wood on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & AL

Answered by Melonie Wood Medicare Insurance Agent

Brian Krantz · Answer

If you’re under 65 and on Social Security Disability, you’ll automatically get Medicare after 24 months. Same Parts A and B — just earlier because of your disability.

James Carlson · Answer

With Advantage plans an individual can have premiums paid from their monthly check.
This is more convenient and assures there will not be a lapse.

Christopher Boyd · Answer

Those Americans receiving SSDI will automatically be enrolled into Medicare Parts A & B not later than their 25 month after their SSDI started. If an American citizen is receiving SS benefits other than SSDI (at age 62), they will automatically be enrolled into Parts A&B when they turn 65.

Answered by Christopher Boyd on March 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA & TN

Answered by Christopher Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Pennington · Answer

Someone who qualifies for disability benefits qualifies for Medicare benefits after 24 months.

Hope Suhr · Answer

Well, first we have to look at your Social Security—just to make sure you’re in the right time to start your Medicare.
We want to find out what your full retirement age is. We want to find out what your health history is, and what your partner’s health history is.
There are a lot of loaded questions here, and it’s very individualized based on your finances. Whether you’re divorced or remarried, there’s a whole lot to consider, so it’s really hard to narrow this question down.
It is case-by-case, and there’s very little generic information that applies.
This is where it’s a good idea to sit down with me, to go over many questions that will help guide us to the right decision, whether we move forward in putting you into a Medicare plan, or we tell you to hold off.
I had a phone call this morning from a client who said her husband is seven years younger than her, and she’s going to be 65 in six months. His company will pay for her insurance until he retires.
So if he’s seven years younger, he’s got more years to work before he retires. But the insurance she’d be paying for is a lot of money.
We did the calculations, and we figured it’s probably a good idea for her to go ahead and take her Medicare.
She’s also not healthy, she’s very stressed, and she doesn’t know if it’s worth it for her to stay working, so we came up with a plan.
I also asked many questions, and that’s how we were able to come up with that solution.
If you are under 65, you can get on disability if deemed by a medical professional and by Social Security. It starts as permanent coverage after your 24th month.

Karen Boudreaux · Answer

If you’ve been on Social Security for two years, you automatically get Medicare part a and B and if you’re not 65 you can take advantage of the Medicare advantage plans the HMO and the PPO‘s which include drug plans

Answered by Karen Boudreaux on March 13, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & 5 other states

Answered by Karen Boudreaux Medicare Insurance Agent

Shane and Tammy Carpenter · Answer

If you qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), then you will eventually qualify for Medicare. However, this doesn’t happen until 24 months after your first SSDI payment. At that point, you will be automatically enrolled into Medicare. Part A, which is the hospital insurance, is usually free. However, Part B is the medical insurance and it has a monthly premium. Generally speaking, once you qualify for Medicare you will want to add a prescription drug coverage, supplement, or Medicare Advantage plan. in fact, if you do not have qualified prescription drug coverage, you will be penalized for not enrolling in a prescription drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare.

Answered by Shane and Tammy Carpenter on April 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK, AR, FL & 5 other states

Answered by Shane and Tammy Carpenter Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Firstly, applying for a State or Federal disability is the way to begin the process. This can happen at any age, not just for seniors who are already enrolled with Medicare.

Here's the key: Once approved by either agency, 24 months must first elapse where at that point, you CAN become Medicare-eligible, no matter what age. However, if you have not attained age 65, you can only acquire an Advantage plan with drug coverage. Though, when you are close to being Medicare-eligible, you have the right to switch over to a Med. Supplement, at your discretion. Since you are in a special category, it is imperative at that time to thoroughly review those 2 plans to see which plan makes the most sense for your household. The Supplement (aka, a Medigap plan) has a monthly premium while the Med. Advantage (MA) plan has no monthly premium due to being Govt-subsidized. But the "give and take" there is that each MA plan contains a deductible every year. If you were hospitalized for example, you'd be responsible for upwards of $3,000.00 every year instead of paying the premium.

Timothy Brown · Answer

A person that that has a qualifying disability and is collecting Social Security income as a result will automatically receive a Medicare card after 24 months of being disabled and unable to return to work.

Answered by Timothy Brown on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Leslie Helene Sussman · Answer

Social Security and Medicare work together for those Underage 65.   After 2 years those collecting Disability will typically automatically be enrolled and qualify for Medicare.

Michael Kim · Answer

They offer plans like Chronic condition working with people that have disabilities who have Medicaid and Medicare. These plans were specifically designed for disabled bodied people in mind.

Tammy Stoner · Answer

Medicare is for those (and or spouse) that are turning 65 that have paid Medicare taxes for usually 10 yrs, or with qualifying disabilities, end stage renal failure, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) before that age. 

Once it has been determined by Social Security that an individual can no longer work do to disability, then that person could qualify for SSDI.  Once this person has received benefits for 2 years, they become eligible for Medicare.

Jeremy Henry · Answer

Medicare and Social Security work together to provide health coverage for people with disabilities. Folks that are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B after receiving benefits for 24 months.

Answered by Jeremy Henry on May 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA

Answered by Jeremy Henry Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

For individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, Social Security and Medicare work in tandem to provide healthcare coverage. Generally, after receiving SSDI for 24 months, individuals are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, according to AARP. This means they'll have access to both hospital and medical care benefits. 
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
SSDI and Medicare Eligibility:
SSDI recipients automatically qualify for Medicare after receiving benefits for 24 months. 
Automatic Enrollment:
Upon reaching this 24-month mark, Social Security automatically enrolls the individual in Medicare Parts A and B, says AARP.
Premium Payment:
While Part A is generally premium-free, there is a premium for Part B. Premiums for Medicare Parts B, C, and D can be deducted directly from Social Security payments, according to AARP. 
Work Incentives:
Social Security provides work incentives for those receiving SSDI benefits, including a Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Medicare Coverage. 
Medicaid:
Some individuals receiving SSDI may also qualify for Medicaid, which provides additional healthcare coverage

Sam Silva · Answer

Social Security and Medicare work together by providing disability benefits and health coverage. Social Security determines eligibility, and after 24 months of benefits, Medicare coverage begins.

Aisha Saleem · Answer

If someone is entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance they will be eligible for Medicare. Their Medicare eligibility will have a 24 month waiting period.

Michael Turkaly · Answer

Once a person who is under the age of 65 and is collecting social security disability for 24 months, they will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A & B.

Mark Mabaquiao · Answer

First of all, they are two separate departments of the government. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support, whereas, Medicare provides comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Once you've received SSDI benefits for 24 months, your Medicare Parts A & B (A&B) become active on the 25th month. It’s also important to determine if a Medicare Advantage plan or stand-alone drug plan plus a Medicare Supplement is an addition to consider along with your A&B. Work with a local and reputable licensed professional that can assist you with this process at least two months before your 25th month of SSDI.