Are you wondering how Medicare or Medicaid could work with your disability benefits? Understanding and applying for these programs can feel overwhelming, especially when you need care right away. A disability lawyer from Crowe & Shanahan can walk you through your options and help you fix any issues with your Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
If you’re ready to get answers, contact our team today for a free initial consultation. You can ask questions, get help with your application, and learn more about how we can help you.
Medicare is a government health insurance program. It is available to people who are 65 or older and younger people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you get SSDI, you can get Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. That period starts once your SSDI benefits begin. People with ALS or kidney failure may get Medicare without waiting.
Medicare has several “parts” that provide different types of coverage. Part A covers hospital stays. Part B covers doctor visits, ambulance services, and medical tests. Part D covers prescription drugs. You might have also heard about Part C or Medicare Advantage, which can bundle other parts into one plan. Most people do not pay for Part A, but Part B recipients usually pay a monthly fee, taken from their Social Security check.
Medicare helps you pay for care, but it doesn’t cover everything. Many recipients still have out-of-pocket costs like copays and deductibles, just like with other insurance policies. All Medicare recipients require some form of supplemental insurance in addition to Medicare.
Medicaid is a public health program for people with low income or limited resources. The federal government sets some Medicaid eligibility rules, but each state runs its own program. That means Medicaid works a little differently in every state.
If you qualify, Medicaid in Missouri and Illinois can help you pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and long-term care. Some services that Medicare does not cover, such as nursing home stays, might fall under Medicaid. Many people with disabilities in Missouri and Illinois use Medicaid for medical care.
If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically qualify for Medicaid in Missouri.
When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, you could also become eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. The type of Social Security benefit you receive determines what kind of coverage you can get.
If you receive SSDI, you become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. This coverage starts automatically once that time passes. If you have ALS or kidney failure, you do not have to wait.
If you receive SSDI, you can get Medicare, but not right away. You must wait 24 months from the time your SSDI benefits start. The Social Security Administration tracks this timeline and will enroll you automatically when you reach that point.
This wait does not apply if you have ALS or end-stage kidney disease. In those cases, your Medicare coverage will start much sooner.
If you qualify for SSI in Missouri and Illinois, you also qualify for Medicaid. You do not need to fill out a second application. The state automatically approves Medicaid when your SSI starts.
To keep your Medicaid, you must meet Missouri’s income and resource limits. This is the same if you are seeking Medicaid in Illinois. If anything changes in your finances, you must update your information with the state accordingly.
Some people in Missouri and Illinois qualify for both SSDI and SSI. If you fall into this group, you could be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, too. This is called dual eligibility.
Missouri’s Medicaid program works with Medicare to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. You could also qualify for assistance with your Medicare Part B premium through Medicaid’s Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program.
Many people in Missouri and Illinois who receive Social Security benefits also use Medicare, Medicaid, or both. However, these programs don’t always work smoothly. Many recipients run into common challenges like:
A disability lawyer can help you work through common Medicare and Medicaid issues. Getting legal help early on can save you time and reduce stress when dealing with these programs.
Trying to fix a Medicare or Medicaid problem on your own can take a lot of time and energy, and one mistake could lead to a delay or denial. An experienced attorney will know how these systems work and can work to protect your access to care by:
If you have questions about Medicare, Medicaid, or your disability benefits, reach out to Crowe & Shanahan today. Though our Office is in Missouri, our team works with people across Missouri and Illinois and can help you take your next steps. Contact us now to get started with your free initial consultation.
We take pride in the strong professional and personal relationships we build with each client. You will meet with the attorney early on and that same attorney will be with you throughout the process. You can rely on us to give you honest advice about your options because this is the right thing to do.
As your advocates, we will remain by your side throughout the process, developing a strategy that fits your specific circumstances. Your legal and financial issues are unique, so we tailor our advice according to your situation. Many individuals and families have benefited from this legal approach.
