I have been diagnosed permanently disabled by my private disability insurance. Can I get Medicare?

Question

I have applied for SSDI but it takes forever. I have been getting benefits from my private disabliity insurance for 37 months. I'm losing my medical insurance....HELP?

Answer 1

This is probably not what you want to hear, but except for some unusual circumstances you can only get Medicare with SSDI (if under retirement age) and not only that, you need to be receiving SSDI for 24 months before you can become eligible for Medicare. SSDI eligibility can sometimes take as little as 3 months but if you are denied and need to appeal, this can take up to a year or more.

Many states have a medicaid buy in program, therefore I suggest you see if you qualify. Also many states have what are called "Disability Benefits Specialist" funded by SSA to provide benefits counseling. I would encourage you to see if your state has this program.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Medicare benefits come with SSDI so keep working on that and don't give up even though it takes forever. My wife is on SSDI and it took her almost 3 yrs to get approved but it was worth the fight. I believe you may be able to get Medicaid right now, but Medicare is for people on SSDI or retired.