How to Enroll in Medicare if You’re on Social Security Disability

“My sister Sally has been qualified for Social Security Disability for the past 24 months, due to having heart issues, and is receiving her Social Security check. Last week, she received a letter saying that she will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B beginning Nov. 1. She is 64 and her individual health insurance plan ends when her Medicare begins. Sally does not turn 65 until next May and is not sure what she should do regarding picking a Medicare plan to begin in Nov. Should she enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Supplement? My concern is regarding her expensive prescriptions and am not able to find any help online. Please advise what Sally’s options are.” – Karen

Enrolling in the right Medicare plan, whether it’s Original Medicare with a Supplement and a stand-alone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with Part D included, can be extremely complicated for someone with a serious health condition. Your sister’s current specialists and prescriptions are what the Toni Says Medicare team would focus on during a consultation. 

Since Sally’s Medicare will begin November 1 and Medicare’s 2025 prescription drug plan information won’t be released Tuesday, October 1 on the Medicare.gov site, I would advise you to start searching for the best plan with prescriptions after October 1 at Medicare.gov to know which Advantage Prescription Drug or Part D plan covers all of Sally’s prescriptions.

Since Sally is reaching her 25^th month on Social Security Disability (SSD) and qualifying for Medicare Parts A and B, let’s discuss the two Medicare enrollment times for those with SSD.

Medicare’s 2 Enrollment Times for Those on Social Security Disability:  

1. Enrolling in Medicare under 65: When one’s 24^th month on Social Security Disability passes, the individual is automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to begin on the 1^st day of the 25^th month. This is the case with Sally’s Medicare. Even though she will not turn 65 until May. Sally’s Medicare will begin November 1. Each state has different Medicare Supplement plans available to those under 65. For example, in Texas, only Medicare Supplement Plan A is available to those under 65.  

When one is under 65 on SSD and enrolling in Medicare for the first time, during a Toni Says Medicare consultation, we advise you to discuss your medical professionals and facilities, and which Medicare Advantage plans they accept. 

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans help to cover the Medicare costs that Medicare does not pay for. The MAPD plan will have deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket costs that the Medicare enrollee will have to pay. This type of plan includes a prescription drug plan. Again, always verify that your healthcare professionals and facilities accept and will bill the MAPD plan you’ve picked.

2. Turning 65 and on Social Security Disability:  Karen, I have good news for you and Sally because when she turns 65 next May, she will have a second Medicare Supplement enrollment time which is called the Medigap/Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period. She will not have to answer any health questions because she will have just turned 65, the same as anyone who is just turning 65 and is enrolling in both Medicare Parts A and B. Those on Social Security Disability will qualify during a “6-month period” that begins the month one turns 65 for Medicare Supplement Plans A-N. 

I’ve had my own SSD experience because my sister was on a MAPD plan until she turned 65. During her Medigap/Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period, I signed her up for a Medicare Supplement Plan G and she had eye surgery with a physician that we could choose. 

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