Medicare and Medicaid After Social Security Disability

At O’Connor Law, our staff of Social Security Disability attorneys have experienced knowledge of Social Security Disability claims. Many people who receive Social Security Disability are also eligible to receive Medicare and Medicaid if they are applicable. Medicare and Medicaid are both programs that provide healthcare benefits to participants. As stated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), more than 75 million people were enrolled in Medicaid in 2019. Also, in the same year, CMS states that there were more than 60 million Medicare beneficiaries. The estimates of beneficiates for each program continue to increase annually.

Medicare is a federal program that provides benefits to people who are disabled or at least 65 years old. Medicare includes four parts. Medicare Part A includes hospital insurance. Having Part A allows hospital, nursing, hospice, and other health care to be covered. Medicare Part B, which pertains to medical insurance, can cover expenses from doctor services and medical supplies. Medicare Part D assists people in covering prescription drugs, shots, and vaccines that are recommended and prescribed by a medical professional. Medicare Advantage, also commonly known as Part C, includes coverage for Parts A, B, and D, if applicants are eligible.

There are multiple methods to complete an application to receive Medicare. Applications can be completed online and by visiting a Social Security office. In addition, potential applicants will also be required to provide official documentation in order to validate their eligibility. For example, certain documents must be provided to validate a person’s age, work history, citizenship, and military service.

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides healthcare benefits to people with limited incomes and resources. Elders, children under 19 years of age, pregnant women, and disabled individuals are also eligible to receive Medicaid. Medicaid can also offer participants with benefits that are not always covered by Medicare, which can include nursing home and personal care assistance. Medicaid is able to provide a variety of benefits to participants. Benefits can include coverage for medications, doctor appointments, hospital visits, prolonged health services, preventative care, and maternity care.

Different states have specific requirements for applying for Medicaid. In Pennsylvania, there are multiple ways to apply for Medicaid. One way is to apply online. On the COMPASS website, people can not only apply for Medicaid benefits, but also for other medical assistance programs and benefits. Another method includes applying in a medical assistance office, where people will be able to help applicants file and complete their Medicaid application. An application can also be printed and sent to county Medicaid offices.

It is possible for people to be eligible to receive Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. The term “dual eligible” is used to reference people who can receive benefits from the two programs simultaneously. In order to receive benefits, people must complete the requirements for Medicare, as well as the state’s requirements for Medicaid. Having dual eligibility also allows participants to have dual health plans, which includes a type of Medicare Part C. This enables people to have coverage on hospital and medical care, as well as medical prescriptions.