I know it’s probably somewhere but I can’t find it. My question is, my husband is retiring and he’s only 64. I am 55. He needs to take cobra. Can I get Medicare early based on my diagnosis of stage four metastasized cancer? Usually you have to wait two years after being excepted for Social Security disability insurance. Is there exceptions for people with stage four cancer?
Thank you
Christina
Written by
Canchondo
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Please search the site because I know that someone here has posted some very detailed instructions and links to help US MBC peeps get disability and medicare coverage.
I think you can get social security disability if you have MBC . But there is a 6 month waiting period from the day you apply till you will receive your first check. Then from what I can figure out is 2 years from your first check not from when you applied you will be eligible for Medicare. Your best bet is to talk to someone from social security they can answer your question .
I did go on Social Security disability. It was a five month wait from date of diagnosis. I’m wondering if I can go on Medicare? Is there exceptions when you have stage four cancer?
HiCancho, good for you for getting ss disablity... I got turned down... might fight it cuz of Covid snd not working enough. Had to work 5 out of last 10 years... but anyway they did say I could get Medicare in 2 years... from the time I last worked... which was 6months prior to dx... 2 years is from when you last worked not from dx. Hope that helps
Yes. You are eligible for Medicare 18 months after SSDI starts paying, or 2 years from when you applied. Medicare pays 80 percent so you need a medigap. This will cover the 20 percent not covered by medicare. I just learned that the medigap can be denied in some states to those under 62 and the options can be limited in other states and then expensive. The insurance companies figure if you are on disability you have a pretty serious health issue so they will charge those under 62 more. At 62 which is a retirement age they can not discriminate and more plans will be available for us. It is all very frustrating.
SSDI gives you a date where you were disabled, no longer able to work, you have to not be working at tge time. Then, you can receive benefits after a 5 month waiting period. You then become eligible for Medicare 2 years from the month you first recieved SSDI benefits.So for me I was diagnosed 6/2018 at 49 years old. In 12/2018 I stopped working because of a fractured rib. I received state temporary diability. When that ran out, I was quickly approved for SSDI. Payments from SSDI started 5/2019. I received my Medicare card last month and it will start 5/2021.
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