Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a federally funded program that aids individuals with disabilities that minimize their ability to work or engage in gainful employment. To avail SSDI benefits, individuals need to make an application, prove that their disability impedes their ability to work with the help of medical records, etc., and wait for their claim to be analyzed before the authorities choose to reject or grant it. More applications for SSDI benefits are rejected than granted.
Medicare is also an aid program managed by the government. Further, the Social Security Administration, which manages SSDI, also manages Medicare. Once an individual is proven eligible for SSDI benefits, they are also eligible for Medicare, which kicks in two years after SSDI benefits are disbursed.
Medicare Benefits
Medicare benefits are broken down into four categories:
- Part A – which covers hospital bills.
- Part B – which covers visits to the healthcare giver or the doctor.
- Part C – which comprises of Medicare Advantage Plans, including a plan offered by a private company in contractual agreement with Medicare to provide individuals with benefits included in Part A and B.
- Part D – which covers costs of prescription drugs.
It is important to remember that these are different parts of the SSDI benefits as well. Thus, Medicare and SSDI are indeed side-by-side.
Premiums and Payments
Premiums need to be paid for Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D.
Individuals are automatically enrolled into Medicare Part A and most of them, if receiving Social Security Disability, do not need to pay for it.
Part B can be optional, in case individuals are already subscribed into another medical insurance. However, while it may come as a no-payment addition to Social Security Disability benefits, choosing to enroll at a later point will cost money.
Part D is also optional, but comes with a penalty if chosen at a later date. This penalty is then applicable throughout the term of the coverage.
Why You Need A Professional By Your Side
Medicare is an insurance that helps the disabled. But there are some technical aspects to it as well which may not be understood by individuals without knowledge of the laws governing these programs. Some of these aspects include the following:
Understanding when Medicare kicks in, once a SSDI application is accepted
A disabled individual may not immediately start receiving benefits on approval of SSDI. Further, Medicare only starts two years after SSDI benefits are disbursed. Individuals do have the option of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the meantime, which comes with Medicaid, a state-led medical aid program and which follows certain income standards which applicants must qualify for, first, for eligibility.
The Gap In Medicare Part D
Once the total allocated money for prescription drugs in Part D is utilized, the individual will need to pay out of their own pocket to continue the coverage until they are eligible to receive aid once more.
If you or someone you know is facing the trauma of disability, get professional help immediately to understand the benefits of SSDI . An SSDI lawyer is a good starting point and one who can help you understand the process, eligibility criteria, etc. better as well as help you prepare for the appeals that precede application approvals.
About Us:
Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC is a law firm that helps clients who are facing disability and preparing to live with it with dignity and independence. Our team of attorneys, over the years, has helped countless clients understand financial aid programs like SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid better while successfully applying for them.
If you are interested in learning more about disability insurance, call us at (855) 254-7841 for immediate assistance.
(855) 254-7841
(855) 254-7841
