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Successful claimants who receive Social Security Disability are eligible for Medicare. However, eligibility does not begin until the individual has received disability benefits for 24 months. Retroactive or back pay periods of eligibility count toward the 24-month period. Eligibility occurs automatically in the 25th month of eligibility. Before then, SSA provides written notice of your Medicare eligibility and explains that Medicare Part A is available without a premium. The notice explains that the premium for Medicare Part B will be deducted from your Social Security Disability monthly benefit and you may chose to opt out of Medicare Part B. For 2004, the Medicare Part B premium is $66.60 per month. Medicare has some coverage limitations (no prescription coverage), co-payments, and deductibles. Your state may be able to provide additional assistance to cover these costs. |
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