SSDI is a mess. I did not deal with an ALJ, but I can give you "some" idea about Medicare.

I applied May 2006. They lost my paperwork, then called me in Sept 2006 to bring in a copy. My wife took me up there, I spoke to a lady and I had a check in my hands less than 4 months later. I was rated as being 100% disabled since a major multi-car pile up on US 50 in June 2001.

I got notification and the check for back pay, it went a year back, so May 2005 was my "date". My medicare was started 2 years from the May 2005. I hate it, I want out, but there is NO WAY OUT. Well, death might work, but medicare IS better than death -- most of the time.

I had 30 days to decide about part B. It was VERY confusing at first, because I am retired military and my Tricare was much better than medicare. I had a private insurance supplement to my Tricare Medical Coverage. Now, I have 3 medical coverages. But I need it.

My prescriptions are through Tricare, not medicare. Medicare pays 80% and Tricare pays 20% --- IF they cover whatever you need.

I just learned a major lesson about medicare. I sleep on a ventilator and have severe Respiratory and Lower Back problems.
My Durable Medical Equipment (DME) told me Medicare would not cover Heliox for Vocal Cord Dysfunction. I made some calls and found out the DME preferred dealing with me, so they lied about medicare. Grrrrrrrrrr. OR the bookkeeper was going to get me to pay, then file with medicare --- pocketing my payment. Who knows. I am trying to say medicare gets a bad rap sometimes when they may not deserve it.

I hope this helps a little bit. You are probably stuck with medicare, but learning how it operates and being proactive will help you a lot.