This month, we wanted to take some time to focus on Medicare, since the 2017 Annual Election Period (AEP) has officially begun (the AEP for 2017 runs from October 15 to December 7) , and we wanted to help you understand when one becomes eligible to enroll in a Medicare plan. Medicare is the federal health insurance program available to people who are age 65 or older, or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries, two years after their SSDI entitlement date. Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD) may be eligible earlier.

When you are applying for SSDI, there is a 2-year waiting period until you can enroll into Medicare, and your entitlement period will be based on your disability onset date. There is a five (5) month waiting period from the disability onset date and the entitlement date (the date benefits begin to be paid).  For example, if you came out of work on January 20, 2015 then your entitlement month would be July 2015. If you were awarded SSDI, then you would be eligible for Medicare Benefits beginning July 2017.

We hope that having this information will provide you with a guideline of when you’ll be entitled to Medicare while you are in the process of applying for SSDI. Overall, we’ll be here to help you through this next process when it approaches. If you are interested in more information regarding  Medicare, you can find some excellent resources on www.ssa.gov and www.medicare.gov.  As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office or reach out to your local Social Security office for assistance. You can also visit the website of our Medicare decision support business, Aevo Insurance Services, for some FAQs, information about choosing the right plan, and locating plans in your area that could help meet your unique healthcare and financial needs (http://www.aevoservices.com/faq/).

This post was written by one of our Client Advocates, Melissa.

Nothing in this post is intended as advice or a suggestion to elect or not elect to claim benefits of any kind, including Social Security benefits and Medicare, nor is it intended as financial advice in any way.  The decision to claim benefits is a personal one that is contingent upon each individual’s unique circumstances.