i have been on diablity for about 5 years......i have not had to use medicare, did not need it as my husband had blue cross.....now however, he is also disabled and will be (hopefully) going on social security... my question is this.......does medicare kick in from the date of approval for him, or is it two years from the date of filing? also, will i still be able to stay on his blue cross or will i be forced to also go on medicare?
also, will my disablity be reduced since he will be on it also?
thanks for any help...................

I believe........

Your SSDI amount stays the same.

He can't get MC until 24 months after the date SS accepts as the start of his disability. If he is accepted for SSDI, that usually means the approved date of disability is exactly 1 year before he filed. At least that was how it worked for me:

injured 6/04
applied for SSDI 9/06
approved for SSDI 6/08
back pay goes back to date they recognize as my disability date (1year before I filed) 9/05
therefore eligible for MC 9/07, so I got MC as of 8/08 when my checks started coming



If you both had the BCBS through his work that he can no longer do, he will probably need to get COBRA or other coverage until he is MC eligible. You would need to do the same coverage or activate your own MC

I know that SSDI speeds through applications for certain diagnoses.....terminal conditions like cancer and ALS. I'm not sure if they can speed up the MC coverage in those cases too.

The other insurance option is Medicaid if your household income is now low enough.

Calling your local SS office is the best place to start. What I wrote is how I understand it, but as my husband will tell you.........I have been wrong in the past

Good Luck !

we were both turned down right away for ssdi...i have ssd and used my husbands blue cross insurance....but since they retired him, i am still able to stay on blue cross, and he will too, until medicare takes over..........

my only fear was that i would lose my ssd if he is going to be receiving one too........but looks like i will be able to keep the meager little amount that i receive............

he should be elible for medicare IF/when he gets approved. his injury was 3-06, he filed for ssd 7-07, so the two year waiting period would be up...............so keep your toes and fingers crossed that he is approved..................he has a video ????? hearing with the judge nov. 19 2008....never heard of this before..........

again, thanks for your reply..........

I've never heard of a video hearing....but that sounds like a great idea......much easier than getting into the city.

I'll cross my fingers for you guys !