Disability and Medicare
If you have a disability and you're receiving Social Security disability payments, you will become eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B beginning the 25th month of receiving Social Security disability payments, regardless of your age.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
- Medicare Part A is premium-free hospital insurance.
- Medicare Part B is medical insurance with a monthly premium.
Under Federal law, if you're a TRICARE beneficiary eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you must have Medicare Part B coverage to remain TRICARE-eligible.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) notifies you of your Medicare entitlement start date. If your disability claim and Medicare entitlement are awarded retroactively, it is very important to make sure your Medicare Part A and Part B effective dates match. If your Medicare effective dates don't match, TRICARE will recoup payments made for claims paid when you had Part A coverage and no Part B.
Medicare Part B Premiums
It is extremely important that you begin paying Medicare Part B premiums when you first become eligible to avoid any break in your TRICARE coverage. And, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you will have to pay additional Medicare Part B premium surcharges.
Your Part B premium is based on your income. Most people pay the standard monthly premium, but it may be higher based on your income. These amounts change each year. For more information about Part B premiums based on income, call Social Security, at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
If you're receiving a Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability, RRB benefits or Federal Annuity, your Part B premiums are taken from your monthly payment. If you aren't receiving any of these payments, you'll be billed quarterly for your Part B premiums. >>Learn More
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When you receive your letter from the Social Security Administration, read it carefully and contact your case manager or a beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator if you have questions.
Last Modified:February 23, 2012
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