If you have a documented disability that significantly impacts your ability to work or have reached the designated retirement age, you may be eligible to receive Social Security and Medicare. However, many Americans aren’t getting the benefits that they’re entitled to receive.
Fortunately, there are Social Security experts who can help you navigate the system and obtain your benefits.
Social Security and Medicare eligibility
First, it’s important to identify the differences in programs that are offered by the Social Security Administration. Social Security and Medicare benefits are based upon how much has been paid into the programs, your age, and whether you have a total and permanent disability.
If you’re approved for Social Security Retirement benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare, but the amount of your premium and deductible will depend on your age at the time of retirement.
If you haven’t yet reached retirement age but have paid into Social Security and a medical doctor has declared you as being totally and permanently disabled, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You’d also be eligible to receive Medicare, but you may need to wait an additional two years for Medicare unless you have certain chronic conditions.
Differences between Social Security and Medicare
Social Security provides financial assistance in the form of a monthly bank deposit, whereas Medicare is a federal health insurance program. In order to receive full Social Security Retirement benefits, you need to be at least 67 years old and have earned at least 40 work credits.
Medicare has similar qualifications. Actually, if you receive Social Security benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services handles the Medicare program. However, the Social Security Administration manages Social Security Retirement and SSDI benefits.
What is the Medicare program?
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program that provides coverage for elderly and retired Americans. Medicare offers four different parts of coverage.
Medicare Part A covers the cost of hospital visits and long-term inpatient care, whereas Medicare Part B is used to pay for doctor visits and preventative care. Once you’re approved for Medicare, you’ll automatically be enrolled in both Part A and B coverage.
Medicare Part C is also known as a Medicare Advantage plan and is handled by private insurance companies that partner with Medicare. You’ll receive additional vision and dental coverage if you choose to enroll in an advantage plan.
Medicare Part D covers the cost of prescription medications and is paid for separately. However, some Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage.
What programs are offered by Social Security?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers three programs that provide financial assistance to the elderly and disabled: Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Retirement benefits are available to Americans that have reached the current full retirement age and have earned at least 40 work credits, which means that they have paid into the program. While it’s possible to qualify for retirement benefits at the age of 62, you won’t receive the full benefit amount.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for totally and permanently disabled Americans who worked and paid into Social Security before becoming disabled. It’s also possible to qualify for SSDI based on your spouse or parents’ earnings.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides financial assistance to disabled Americans who haven’t sufficiently paid into Social Security. The SSI benefit amount is based upon the person’s income and assets.
Social Security and SSDI recipients are eligible for Medicare, whereas SSI recipients are only eligible for the state-funded Medicaid program. However, some people may qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits.
How do Social Security and Medicare work together?
First, you have the option of having your Medicare premiums automatically deducted from your Social Security check, but that’s not the only way that Social Security and Medicare work together.
Once you’re approved for Social Security Retirement or SSDI benefits, you’ll be enrolled in Medicare automatically. Also, you’re required to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65- even if you haven’t yet applied for Social Security benefits. You’ll receive a welcome package as you reach the age of eligibility.
The Social Security Administration uses your tax records to determine the amount of your Medicare Part B premium. Most people aren’t required to pay a Part A premium. If you were an especially high earner, Social Security will mail you an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) notification that will need to be filed.
Although Social Security and Medicare are two very different programs, they work together efficiently to provide needed benefits to elderly and disabled Americans.
Medicare digital marketers have also been struggling to develop innovative marketing strategies until now. At the perfect timing, they have finally found ways to reach out to consumers to provide educational resources and information on Medicare advantage plans to help Americans get the benefits that they worked for all their lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about Medicare and digital marketing solutions, check out this page!
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