Did you know you could qualify for Medicare before you reach the age of 65? Various factors come into play when qualifying for government insurance coverage. If you become disabled and unable to work at a younger age, you could start getting Medicare benefits. Our insurance professionals at McBride Benefit Solutions, serving Florence, AL, could help you analyze your options when shopping for a Medicare plan.
You Must Have a Qualifying Disability
It’s not enough to have a basic injury to qualify for Medicare. If you become disabled, your condition must inhibit you from working again or performing everyday functions. Some common examples of serious disabilities that could qualify for early Medicare coverage are Parkinson’s Disease, Heart Disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Lupus Disease. If you become diagnosed with an illness that is expected to last at least a year at a young age, you may qualify for Medicare coverage.
You Must Already be Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits
When you become diagnosed with a disability, before you start getting Medicare benefits, you’ll likely start receiving a monthly benefit that replaces lost wages from not working regularly called Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI). You must be getting SSDI benefits for 24 months before you can start getting Medicare. You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B and start receiving insurance. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with ALS or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you will start receiving Medicare soon after you get SSDI.
Enroll in a Local Program to Help You Understand your Options
If you’ve been struggling to understand Medicare and its benefits, there’s a local program in Alabama that can help you in that area. The Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is composed of volunteers and counselors who are here for you to help you understand your Medicare options. They also could help you in figuring out if you qualify for early coverage.
Contact Us for More Medicare Information
While the SHIP program is great in assisting you to better understand the Medicare program, our insurance professionals could take it one step further in helping you decide on a plan. When you’re ready to take that step, contact our Florence, AL office at McBride Benefit Solutions today.
