Medicare for Working Beneficiaries with Disabilities

Medicare for Working Beneficiaries with Disabilities

Question: How long will I get to keep Medicare if I go to work?

Answer: As long as your disabling condition still meets our rules, you can keep your Medicare coverage for at least 8 ½ years after you return to work. (The 8 ½ years includes your nine month trial work period.)

Question: I have Medicare hospital Insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) coverage. Will I get to keep both parts?

Answer: Yes, as long as your disabling condition still meets our rules. Your Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) coverage is premium-free. Your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) coverage will also continue. You or a third party (if applicable) will continue to pay for Part B. If your Social Security Disability Insurance cash benefits stop due to your work, you or a third party (if applicable) will be billed every 3 months for your medical insurance premiums. If you are receiving cash benefits, we will continue to deduct your medical insurance premiums from your check.

Question: I have Medicare (Part A) but I did not take Part B coverage when it was first offered to me. Can I get Part B now?

Answer: Yes. If you did not sign up for Part B, you can only sign up for it during a general enrollment period (January 1st through March 31st of each year) or a special enrollment period.

The special enrollment period is available if you have been covered under a group health plan based on your own or a family member's current employment status since the month you were first eligible for Part B.

You can sign up for Part B during any month you are covered under the group health plan based on current employment status, or during the 8-month period that begins the first full month after the employment or the group health plan coverage ends, whichever comes first.

Question: When I return to work and get medical coverage through my employer, will this change my Medicare? Do I need to notify anyone?

Answer: Medicare may be the "secondary payer" when you have health care coverage through your work. See the information under "Coordination of Medicare and Other Coverage for Working Beneficiaries with Disabilities" about when Medicare is a "secondary payer or primary payer". Notify your Medicare contractor or the Coordination of Benefits Contractor at 1-800-999-1118 right away. Prompt reporting may prevent an error in payment for your health care services.

Question: After my Trial Work Period, how long will I have Medicare coverage?

Answer: You will get at least 7 years and 9 months of continued Medicare coverage, as long as your disabling condition still meets our rules.

Promptly report any changes in your work activity. This way you can be paid correctly, and we can tell you how long your Medicare coverage will continue after you return to work.

Question: I plan to continue working. Will I be able to purchase Medicare after my premium-free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) coverage ends?

Answer: Yes. As long as you still have a disabling condition, you can purchase Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). If you purchase Part A, you may purchase medical insurance (Part B). You cannot purchase Part B in this situation, unless you also purchase Part A.

Question: Do I need to apply for premium Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)? If so, when?

Answer: Yes. Once your premium free Medicare Part A coverage ends, you will get a notice that will tell you when you can file an application to purchase Medicare coverage.

Question: How much are the premiums if I decide to purchase Medicare Part A?

Answer:
Part A (Hospital Insurance) premium for 2007

* $226.00 per month if you or a spouse has at least 30 quarters of Medicare covered employment. (Note: If an individual works in covered employment during the 8 ½ year premium-free Medicare period, 38 quarters of coverage would be earned.)
* $410.00 per month if you have less than 30 quarters of Medicare covered employment).

Part B (Medical Insurance) premium for 2007

* $93.50 per month.

There is a program that may help you with your Medicare Part A premiums if you decide to purchase Part A after your extended coverage terminates. To be eligible for this help, you must be:

* Under age 65.
* Continue to have a disabling impairment.
* Sign up for Premium Hospital Insurance (Part A).
* Have limited income.
* Have resources worth less than $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple, not counting the home where you live, usually one car, and certain insurance.
* Not already be eligible for Medicaid.

To find out more about this program, contact your county, local or State Social Services or medical assistance office. Ask about the Medicare buy-in program for Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals.

Question: Where can I find publications on Medicare?

Answer: You can view, print, or order publications online or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). The fastest way to get a publication is to use our search tool and then view and print it. If you order online or through 1-800-MEDICARE, you will receive your order within 3 weeks. The link to search publications is at: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/home.asp

Question: If I have additional question on my Medicare coverage, who do I call?

Answer: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY/TDD: 1-877-486-2048 for the hearing and speech impaired)

http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/medicare.htm#cobra