Comments on: 24 Month Waiting Period for Medicare Benefits in Approved SSDI Cases Causes Hardship

By: Kelli Harris

Kelli Harris — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:17:48 +0000

I am currently on SSDI and will be eligible for Medicare in June or July of 2012. Will someone be in contact with me as the date gets closer as to what I need to do or do I need to contact someone? Thank you. K. Harris

By: Timmy

Timmy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:01:20 +0000

My question is my two year period will be up next month for my Medicare what do I need too do?

By: Joseph Applegate

Joseph Applegate — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:54:51 +0000

I filed for SSDI in july of 2010 and won the case first try and th SSA ruled that I have been disabled since Dec. 2009 and couted that as my trial period and paid a lump sum from april 2010 to my regular payments started in Sept of 2010. will I get medicare baed on my diability onset in Dec. 2009, or other terms will I get Medicare in Dec 2011 (24 months since onset of disability) is there any thing I have to do to start it? I am spending mony faster than I can replace it on doctors bills… my lump sum is gone and I am getting calls on the 190K of bills I have now and am considering bankuptcy.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:22:49 +0000

I am on SSDI. I have lung cancer. CT’s and MRI’s are not cheap. I had my right lung removed March 2010. I have been given only a 25% chance of being alive 5 years from the date of my surgery. I am on oxygen and other meds. 24/7. I have to see my physician on a monthly basis because of the meds. that are prescribed to me. The stress of the bill collectors and appts. is enough to drive a person into madness. I believe that the government is waiting to see if people DIE first before they get Medicare. I qualify for nothing in the private insurance industry because of this 24 month waiting period. I am married and my husband earns a decent wage. We are not wealthy at all. In our household there is too much income for me to qualify for Medicaid. I know of a couple that has been married for 55 years. The couple had to Divorce just so that the wife who was bed-ridden could qualify for in home care. Now, lets all sing “Proud to be an American”.

By: Priscilla

Priscilla — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:00:50 +0000

I was on SSI from Jan2009 until Aug2009.At that time my disabilty came through.Do the months I was on SSI count toward my 24 months ?

By: FRANK

FRANK — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:09:57 +0000

SHOULD I START INS. PAYMENTS FOR MEDICARE UNTIL THE TWO YEARS ARE UP?

By: Sonja

Sonja — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:41:09 +0000

I am a disabled person that has recieved my ssdi benifits since july of 2004. Up until August of 2009 I never had to pay the premiums for my medicare. The social security dept. takes 100.00 a month out of my check which is barely enough to keep me going. I am homeless brcause i cant afford to pay rent with the remaining 750.00 i recieve. Why am I now having a co-pay with my medical bills and have to pay the premium for my medicare. Please help me understand.

By: J. Jacobsen

J. Jacobsen — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:11:09 +0000

Hi Jonathan

I am awaiting my administrative law judge hearing. Thankfully, my case is finally coming up within the week after a year and a half wait.

Last spring, I read about HR 1708/S 700, a bill proposed to phase out the Medicare waiting period for people on Social Security Disability. However, in an internet search tonight, I can find no more information about it it’s status. I see that Obama first co-sponsored the bill in 2007. I assume it must have not passed that time. I am wondering if the same thing has happend this time? If so, it’s a dirty, shame.

Do you know anymore about the status of this bill?

By: Marlene Campo

Marlene Campo — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:28:07 +0000

I am very aware of the hardships caused by the 24 month waiting period as I was a non-attorny Claimant’s Representative beginning in 1980 and I am just now retiring or perhaps I should say quitting.

However, the long wait (sometimes 3 years or more) it takes for a Case to be approved for disability (in many cases) in fact most cases result in the Claimant qualifying for Medicare by the time the claimant knows they are approved. However, that waiting period still applies and prevents claimants from getting back Doctor and Hospital bills approved during the 2 years of the “waiting period”.

I am certainly in favor of the 2 year waiting period after the date the claimant is adjudicated as disabled to be eliminated.