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What Do I Need to Know About Medicare Disability Eligibility?

By Hal Levy Healthcare Writer

Hal Levy Healthcare Writer

Hal was a former staff writer, where he monitored the insurance industry and helped consumers make smart medical decisions.

Updated on February 17th, 2025

Reviewed by Diane Omdahl

Diane Omdahl Expert Reviewer

Diane Omdahl has been helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare for more than three decades. She is a nationally recognized Medicare expert, a registered nurse, serial entrepreneur, and has served as a technical expert for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (the organization that runs the Medicare program). She is a frequent speaker on Medicare-related issues. She has been featured in many national publications, including the Washington Post, CBS MoneyWatch, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal Market Watch, Kiplinger, and many more. Her most recent startup, 65 Incorporated, helps people 65 and older get the clear, correct, complete, and credible information they need to make important Medicare decisions. She is also the architect behind the i65 Medicare optimization software suite. i65 enables financial advisors to help clients make smart Medicare decisions.

In this Article

What If You Get Social Security Disability Insurance? What If You Have End-State Renal Disease?

We aim to help you make informed healthcare decisions. While this post may contain links to lead generation forms, this won’t influence our writing. We follow strict editorial standards to give you the most accurate and unbiased information.

To qualify for Medicare disability eligibility, You’ll need to either collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or have a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

As a Medicare beneficiary, you’ll receive complete Medicare coverage, including coverage for disability-related issues.

What If You Get Social Security Disability Insurance?

If you’ve just begun to receive SSDI payments, you can’t enroll in Medicare right away. Your enrollment begins automatically on the 25th month that you receive SSDI benefits. You’ll get your Medicare information and the official card in the mail soon after your 23rd month of receiving SSDI.

The 24-month requirement is cumulative, meaning that you don’t need to have received all 24 months during the same 24-month period to qualify.

If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), your Medicare benefits will begin as soon as you receive your first SSDI payment. It typically takes 5 months for your first SSDI payment to arrive.

What If You Have End-State Renal Disease?

If you’ve received a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, you can enroll in Medicare by contacting your local Social Security office. To qualify, you must already receive SSDI or have worked in the U.S. for about 10 years to have paid a sufficient amount of taxes.

  • If you have ESRD but don’t meet those requirements, you can also get Medicare if you are the spouse or dependent child of a person who would have qualified.

The start of your Medicare coverage will depend on the type of treatment you receive.

  • If you take part in a home dialysis training program, your coverage will kick in during the first month of dialysis.
  • If you receive treatment at a dialysis facility, coverage will begin after your fourth month of dialysis.
  • If you’re admitted to the hospital for a kidney transplant or transplant-related health services, your coverage begins during the first month that you’re admitted.
    • If your transplant is delayed for more than two months after you’re admitted to the hospital, then your coverage will start two months before your transplant.

Taking the Next Steps

Prepare to enroll in Medicare as soon as possible. Consider which type of supplementary coverage is right for you. Sign up early for Medigap coverage that starts as soon as you receive Original Medicare.

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