Disability and Medicare

Do you have a disability and get Social Security disability payments?  Then you'll be eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B the 25th month you get Social Security disability payments. Your age doesn’t matter.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people:

• Age 65 or older
• Under age 65 with certain disabilities
• With end-stage renal disease
• With Lou Gehrig's disease

There are different types of Medicare.

• Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. There is no premium.
• Medicare Part B is medical insurance. You’ll pay a monthly premium.

If you have TRICARE and are also eligible for Medicare Part A, you must have Part B coverage to stay eligible for TRICARE. There are some exceptions – learn more.

The Social Security Administration will let you know your Medicare start date. If your disability claim and Medicare entitlement are awarded retroactively, make sure your Medicare Part A and Part B effective dates match.

• If your Medicare effective dates don't match, TRICARE will try to get any payments back for claims paid when you had Part A coverage and no Part B.
• When you receive your letter from the Social Security Administration, read it carefully. Contact your case manager or a beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator if you have questions.

>>Learn More about TRICARE and Medicare