How SSDI and Medicare Work Together

When you qualify for SSDI, you don’t immediately get Medicare. Instead, there’s a 24-month waiting period from the date you are first eligible for disability payments. After this period, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance).

This means SSDI provides income support, while Medicare provides health coverage—working together to give you financial stability and access to medical care.

Exceptions to the Waiting Period

Some conditions allow you to bypass the 24-month waiting period for Medicare:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – Medicare begins the same month SSDI starts.
• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – Special rules apply; Medicare may begin as soon as dialysis or a kidney transplant occurs.

If you qualify under one of these exceptions, your Medicare coverage will begin much sooner.

Other Health Coverage Options While Waiting

During the waiting period for Medicare, many SSDI recipients in New Hampshire rely on:

• Medicaid – For individuals with very limited income and resources.
• Marketplace health insurance plans – Subsidized coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
• Employer or spouse coverage – If available, this may help bridge the gap.

Combining SSDI with these options ensures you maintain healthcare coverage while waiting for Medicare eligibility.

Costs of Combining SSDI and Medicare

Once you become eligible for Medicare:

• Part A is usually free if you paid enough work credits.
• Part B requires a monthly premium (automatically deducted from SSDI payments).
• Part D (prescription coverage) and Medicare Advantage plans are optional but may add extra coverage.

This combination allows you to manage both income and medical needs under one coordinated system.