Generally, you will receive Medicare when receiving Social Security disability benefits but several conditions must be met.
Automatic Enrollment
Automatic enrollment in Original Medicare Part A and B will occur when you have received Social Security disability benefits or some Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
As always, you need to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for at least five continuous years.
Exceptions to the Rule
The following conditions have different qualifiers than those described above.
- If you have Lou Gehrig's / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), enrollment in Medicare will occur automatically. Coverage begins the same month you begin receiving disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
- If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), enrollment is not automatic. Contact the Social Security Administration to determine if you qualify.
For more information about Medicare and Social Security disability benefits, contact the Social Security Administration in one of the following three ways:
- At SocialSecurity.gov
- By phone, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778) from 7AM to 7PM Monday-Friday.
- In person by visiting a local Social Security office.
