Medicare Blog

why is medicare important to persons on disability

by Retha Bernhard Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

When Medicare was amended in 1973,expanding entitlement to people with dis-ability, it played a key role in promoting in-dependence and autonomy and enhancinghealth care for this population, which tradi-tionally had been underserved. Medicarerecipientswith disability have been thefastest growing Medicare-entitled popula-tion, and Medicare, along with Medicaid

Medicaid

Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, including nursing home care and personal care services. The Health Insurance As…

,has had to adjust to meet the needs of thisever-changing group. Both programs mustcontinue to evolve to develop services de-signed specifically for people with disability.Today, more than 6 million Americansunder 65 years of age with severe disabili-ties receive a vast array of medical, hospi-tal, support, rehabilitative, residential, andlong-term care (LTC) services throughMedicare and Medicaid. These programshave contributed to the sea change in thenational attitude toward people with dis-abilities and promoted the independenceand autonomy of millions through the fund-ing of services that were non-existent andperhaps even inconceivable 30 years ago.In this article, we describe the historicimperative for publicly financed insuranceprograms for people with disabilities, thecharacteristics of Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible recipients with disability, the arrayof services now available to them throughthese two programs, and lastly, obstacles toand opportunities for continued reform asthey present themselves today.

Full Answer

How does Medicare work for people with disabilities?

Since 1973, Medicare has been an important source of health insurance for people with disabilities who are under age 65. More recently, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 improved access to health insurance and coverage of benefits under Medicare, improvements which could be especially helpful for people with disabilities.

What is Medicare and why is it important?

By helping people shoulder the potentially devastating costs of illness, Medicare plays a critical role in the financial security of older Americans, as well as their health security.

What happens to my Medicare benefits if I become disabled?

Even after the eight-and-one-half year period of extended Medicare coverage has ended, working individuals with disabilities can continue to receive benefits as long as the individual remains medically disabled. At this point the individual – who must be under age 65 – will have to pay the premium for Part A as well as the premium for Part B.

Can I get Medicare based on disability benefits?

To become eligible for Medicare based on disability, you must first qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI pays monthly benefits to people with disabilities who might be limited in their ability to work. If you are injured or have a medical condition that limits your ability to work, you may be eligible for SSDI.

image

Why is Medicare so important?

#Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to 60 million older people and younger people with disabilities. It covers many basic health services, including hospital stays, physician services, and prescription drugs.

How does disability affect Medicare?

Medicare coverage is the same for people who qualify based on disability as for those who qualify based on age. For those who are eligible, the full range of Medicare benefits are available.

What are 3 benefits of Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans must offer at least the same level of coverage as Medicare Part A and Part B and many plans offer added benefits. These may include coverage for routine vision care, hearing aids, routine dental care, prescription drug coverage, and fitness center membership.

What Is Medicare a disability program?

Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with end-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).

Does Medicare automatically come with disability?

You will typically be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and B, after you've received Social Security disability benefits (or certain Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits) for two straight years. Your Medicare coverage will start 24 months from the month you qualified for disability benefits.

Is Medicare Part of Social Security?

Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.

Why is Medicare important to the elderly?

Medicare coverage is especially important to low-income elderly people because they are in poorer health than higher income elderly people and have few financial assets to draw on when faced with high medical costs.

What would happen without Medicare?

Payroll taxes would fall 10 percent, wages would go up 11 percent and output per capita would jump 14.5 percent. Capital per capita would soar nearly 38 percent as consumers accumulated more assets, an almost ninefold increase compared to eliminating Medicare alone.

What has been the impact of Medicare on the health care system?

Medicare and Medicaid have greatly reduced the number of uninsured Americans and have become the standard bearers for quality and innovation in American health care. Fifty years later, no other program has changed the lives of Americans more than Medicare and Medicaid.

Do I have to pay for Medicare?

Most people don't have to pay a monthly premium for their Medicare Part A coverage. If you've worked for a total of 40 quarters or more during your lifetime, you've already paid for your Medicare Part A coverage through those income taxes.

Is Medicare better than medical?

Medicare provides health coverage to individuals 65 and older or those with a severe disability regardless of income, whereas Medi-Cal (California's state-run and funded Medicaid program) provides health coverage to those families with very low income, as well as pregnant women and the blind, among others.

What happens to my Medicare disability when I turn 65?

What Happens When You Turn 65? When you turn 65, you essentially lose your entitlement to Medicare based on disability and become entitled based on age. In short, you get another chance to enroll, a second Initial Enrollment Period if you will.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9