Social Security Disability Health Insurance

Many people are confused about whether they will get medical health insurance if they are approved for the Social Security Disability Income Program (SSDI). Here is an explanation of how health insurance works once you start getting SSDI. You have various methods of getting Social Security disability health insurance.

Types of Plans With Social Security Disability Health Insurance

There are three options for you at this stage: Medicare, Medicaid and the Marketplace (for various private health insurance plans). And the following are the conditions:

• If you have SSDI, then you are eligible for Medicare, but only after two years of receiving benefits
• If you get SSDI and are already a part of Medicare, then by law, you are already covered
• If you are waiting for the two-year period to elapse before you become eligible for Medicare, then you can apply for Medicaid in the meantime. You can send your application directly to your state’s Medicaid center. Once you have reached the 2-year period for eligibility for Medicare, you also have the option of retaining your Medicaid policy. If your application for Medicaid is declined, then you would need to look at enrolling in a private health insurance plan through the Marketplace until your Medicare coverage is ready. Depending on your income as well as the size of your household, you would qualify for the lower cost Marketplace coverages.
• If you don’t have any health coverage at all, then you can fill in an application form for the Marketplace and see if you qualify for a private health insurance plan.
• If you were enrolled in the Marketplace before you started receiving SSID, then you can keep your plan as supplemental health insurance after you receive your Medicare plan.

What Does your Medicare Plan Offer?

Once you complete the two-year waiting period, you will automatically qualify for Medicare. You will be enrolled in two parts of Medicare:

          Part A: Hospital Insurance

If you are hospitalized, then all your inpatient bills will be paid for. Additionally, some of the follow-up care would also be paid for.

Part B: Medical Insurance

Your doctor’s bills, outpatient care and other medical services are paid for. However, you would need to pay a minimal monthly premium for this service if you want to avail of it.

Part C: Medicare Advantage

These plans are basically Part A and Part B plans that are offered by private health insurance companies and approved by Medicare. So if you want to use a private insurer, but still want the Medicare plans, then Medicare Advantage is for you.

Part D: Part D is basically prescription drug coverage and is free for all Medicare users.

Help for Low Income Beneficiaries

If you are on SSDI but fall into a low income group, you can apply to your state government for assistance in paying for your Medicare premiums.

For more information about your insurance plans, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or log onto https://www.medicare.gov/.

For TTY users, you can call 1-877-486-2048.