MEDICARE & SOCIAL SECURITY DISABIITY
Medicare is a very valuable part of getting Social Security disability benefits. Medicare is government health insurance which pays for in-hospital and out patient healthcare services.
Individuals who get approved for Title II Social Security disability benefits automatically qualify for Medicare, subject to a waiting period. There is a 24 month waiting period, starting with the date your monthly benefits become payable. For example, if your first benefit is due for the month of January, 2014, you will receive Medicare in January, 2016. (This is not to be confused with the date your first check arrives; it's the date benefits first became due). If you were awarded back pay or past due benefits, you could be eligible for Medicare immediately, depending on the onset date of disability.
Medicare prevents you from spending your own money for medical care and makes care available to persons who otherwise might not be able to afford care. Medicare has two primary parts, which I will discuss briefly, only as a very general overview:
PART A is your hospitalization coverage. After an out-of-pocket deductible of $1,288* for each benefit period, Medicare pays 80 percent of the hospital bills (generally). Part A is free, meaning you pay no premium for this coverage. Part A is also mandatory if you receive Social Security disability benefits.
PART B is your out-patient coverage for things like doctor's office visits, X-rays, MRI's and other out patient tests and procedures. After an annual deductible of $166, Medicare pays about 80 percent of covered outpatient expenses. You pay a premium of $134* per month for Part B, which is optional.
PART C - is a plan sold through private insurance companies which helps pay the deductibles and co-payments associated with Medicare. The premium varies by plan. Part C is strictly optional.
PART D: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - Medicare pays for prescription drugs only if you purchase a Part D plan from a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Plans vary widely from company to company and plan to plan and you should check plans carefully before buying one. Part D is optional.
Medicare "Advantage Plans" provide a different way to get Medicare benefits. These plans are sold by insurance companies and should be reviewed very carefully prior to purchase. Some Advantage plans also cover prescription drugs. Deductibles and co-payments will vary.
Caution: Being eligible for Medicare usually affects other health insurance you may have. Most insurance companies will not allow you the option of continuing primary health insurance coverage once you become eligible for Medicare. (They require that Medicare become your primary health insurance provider). If you become eligible for Medicare, check with your insurance company to see how Medicare eligibility affects your healthcare coverage.
Individuals who get approved for Title II Social Security disability benefits automatically qualify for Medicare, subject to a waiting period. There is a 24 month waiting period, starting with the date your monthly benefits become payable. For example, if your first benefit is due for the month of January, 2014, you will receive Medicare in January, 2016. (This is not to be confused with the date your first check arrives; it's the date benefits first became due). If you were awarded back pay or past due benefits, you could be eligible for Medicare immediately, depending on the onset date of disability.
Medicare prevents you from spending your own money for medical care and makes care available to persons who otherwise might not be able to afford care. Medicare has two primary parts, which I will discuss briefly, only as a very general overview:
PART A is your hospitalization coverage. After an out-of-pocket deductible of $1,288* for each benefit period, Medicare pays 80 percent of the hospital bills (generally). Part A is free, meaning you pay no premium for this coverage. Part A is also mandatory if you receive Social Security disability benefits.
PART B is your out-patient coverage for things like doctor's office visits, X-rays, MRI's and other out patient tests and procedures. After an annual deductible of $166, Medicare pays about 80 percent of covered outpatient expenses. You pay a premium of $134* per month for Part B, which is optional.
PART C - is a plan sold through private insurance companies which helps pay the deductibles and co-payments associated with Medicare. The premium varies by plan. Part C is strictly optional.
PART D: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - Medicare pays for prescription drugs only if you purchase a Part D plan from a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Plans vary widely from company to company and plan to plan and you should check plans carefully before buying one. Part D is optional.
Medicare "Advantage Plans" provide a different way to get Medicare benefits. These plans are sold by insurance companies and should be reviewed very carefully prior to purchase. Some Advantage plans also cover prescription drugs. Deductibles and co-payments will vary.
Caution: Being eligible for Medicare usually affects other health insurance you may have. Most insurance companies will not allow you the option of continuing primary health insurance coverage once you become eligible for Medicare. (They require that Medicare become your primary health insurance provider). If you become eligible for Medicare, check with your insurance company to see how Medicare eligibility affects your healthcare coverage.
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