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If you are rendered disabled by the Social Security Administration, the Federal Government provides you with the ability to continue with your medical treatment in the hopes that you will one day be able to return to the workforce. This becomes possible through Medicare.
Medicare is a medical program provided to individuals 65 or older and the disabled. If you are deemed disabled by Social Security, you will be eligible for Medicare 24 months after the date you are declared disabled. The 24 month clock begins on the date when a disability analyst or a Judge feels the person became disabled, not the actual date the decision is released. Here are a few examples:
Example 1
Bob applies for disablility benefits and alleges a date of disability, or onset date, of January 1, 2010. Bob's application is approved at the initial application stage and the disability analyst concurs that Bob became disabled on January 1, 2010. Bob's Medicare coverage will begin on January 1, 2012.
Example 2
Jane applies for benefits and alleges an onset date of March 14, 2009. Jane's application is denied at the initial application stage and she doesn't get a hearing until January 5, 2011. At Jane's hearing, the Judge rules that Jane did in fact become disabled on March 14, 2009. Therefore, Jane's Medicare coverage will begin March 14, 2011, just 2 months after her hearing.
In short, Medicare ensures that you will be able to continue treating if you are receiving social security disability benefits. For many disability claimants, insurance coverage is a financial hardship, but the Medicare program resolves this.
Medicare should not be confused with Medicaid, which is a needs-based medical program given to people who have little or no income. Eligibility for Medicaid is very strict and income thresholds must be met in order to quality. If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income, you immediately qualify for Medicaid.
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