Disability

Medicare coverage is also available to those who are under 65 years of age and considered disabled.  Although there are no illnesses or specific underlying conditions that exclude someone from Medicare, individuals must have received Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 months to be eligible for Medicare. Notably, there are two conditions that do not require the 24-month waiting period: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Those with ALS can utilize the Medicare program immediately after Social Security benefits begin while those with ESRD must typically go through at least 3 months of regular dialysis, or after a kidney transplant.

Those who meet the standards of Social Security Disability, yet do not qualify for Social Security benefits can purchase Medicare Parts A & B.