Although her medical condition prevented her from working, Pamela’s bills kept piling up. Not only did she need money to pay for basic necessities, but the thought of paying her exorbitant medical bills kept her up at night. But help may be available. Pamela may be eligible for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) due to her inability to work. As for the medical bills, Medicare and SSDI sometimes go hand-in-hand. In other words, she may qualify for at least two government benefit programs. She just needs to know where to turn for help understanding and applying for benefits.
Two Very Different Programs
Medicare provided federally-funded health insurance for people who qualify, including:
- People age 65 or older,
- Younger people with disabilities,
- People who suffer from end-stage renal disease.
Benefits could cover hospital stays, medical treatment, and prescription drugs.
SSDI is also a federal program and it also helps people who have disabilities. That’s pretty much where the similarities end, or so it seems. Someone with a medical condition that prevents them from working may qualify for SSDI. Other requirements relate to the individual’s work history, including how many work credits they have accrued. While Social Security personnel will review medical records will be reviewed during the application process, SSDI benefits are not specifically used to cover medical treatments.
How do two seemingly different programs – Medicare and SSDI – relate to each other? And how does it help you?
The Connection Between Medicare and SSDI
Most people who receive SSDI benefits also receive Medicare. In some cases, they have already qualified for Medicare. However, others may have to go through a 24-month waiting period before benefits kick in. In other words, your Medicare benefits may not start up until you have received SSDI benefits for two years. During that waiting period, you may need to find other forms of insurance to help with your medical treatment.
By the way, people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) typically also are enrolled in Medicaid. If you receive both SSI and SSDI, you may also qualify for both medical programs.
Medicaid and SSI, Medicare and SSDI – We Can Help
It’s never easy to understand government programs. There are requirements before qualifying, limitations, and things to do. You can ease the pain of dealing with government paperwork by hiring someone who understands it.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have helped many clients resolve SSDI and SSI issues. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
