Yes, you can get Medicare before 65 if you receive disability benefits
If you have been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits, you become may be able to access for Medicare after you have been receiving those benefits for 24 months. You do not have to wait until age 65. The 24-month waiting period starts from the month you were first approved for disability, not from the month you applied.
This means Medicare coverage can begin while you are still in your 30s, 40s, or 50s if you may have access to for disability early enough. The process is automatic in most cases — you do not need to take a separate action once the 24 months have passed. Social Security will enroll you in Medicare Part A and Part B unless you ask them not to.
There is one exception: if you are blind, you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready when your disability benefits start, with no 24-month wait.
Key Takeaways
- You must receive SSDI or RRB disability benefits for 24 months before Medicare begins, unless you are blind.
- Social Security automatically enrolls you in Medicare Part A and Part B once the 24 months have passed.
- Your Medicare coverage will start on the first day of the 25th month of your disability benefits.
- You can choose to delay or refuse Part B enrollment, but Part A (hospital insurance) is automatic and you should understand what happens if you decline it.
- Once you turn 65, your disability benefits end but your Medicare continues under a different name (SSDI becomes Social Security retirement benefits).
How the 24-month waiting period works
The clock starts the month Social Security approves your disability claim, not the month you filed it. If you were approved in March, your 24-month period runs from March through February of the following year. On the first day of the 25th month (March 1 in this example), your Medicare coverage begins.
You do not have to do anything to start the clock. Social Security tracks this automatically. You can check your own timeline by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask when your Medicare will start.
If you are unsure of your approval date, Social Security's award letter should show it clearly. That letter is worth keeping — you may need to show it to doctors or insurers later to prove when your coverage began.
What Medicare coverage you get and when it starts
When your 24 months end, Social Security will enroll you in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance covering doctor visits and outpatient care). Both start on the first day of your 25th month of disability benefits.
Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Part B covers doctor office visits, lab tests, imaging, and outpatient procedures. You will pay a monthly premium for Part B, which is deducted from your disability check. Part A has no monthly premium for most people.
You will also receive a Medicare card in the mail before your coverage starts. The card will show your Medicare number and the date your coverage begins. If you do not receive a card within a few weeks of your coverage start date, contact Social Security to request one.
What you need to know about Part B enrollment
Social Security will automatically enroll you in Part B unless you tell them not to. Some people decline Part B if they have employer health insurance through a current job or a spouse's job. If that is your situation, you can ask Social Security to remove you from Part B before your coverage starts.
However, if you decline Part B now and want it later, you may face a permanent penalty on your premium. The penalty is 10% for each full year you could have had Part B but did not sign up. This penalty stays with you for life, so declining Part B is a decision to think through carefully with your doctor or a benefits counselor.
If you have questions about whether you should keep Part B, you can speak with a free benefits counselor through your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). Find your state's SHIP by visiting shiptalk.org or calling 1-877-839-2675.
What happens to your disability benefits when you turn 65
When you reach age 65, your SSDI benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits. The amount you receive stays the same — there is no change to your monthly check. Your Medicare coverage continues without interruption.
The conversion is automatic and happens on your 65th birthday. You do not need to do anything. Your Medicare card and coverage remain exactly the same. The only change is the name of the program you are receiving benefits from, not the benefits themselves.
If you are receiving RRB disability benefits, the same conversion happens at age 65, and your Medicare coverage continues. The Railroad Retirement Board will notify you before the conversion occurs.
How to check your Medicare start date
You can find out when your Medicare will begin by checking your Social Security account online. Go to ssa.gov, click "Sign In" at the top right, and log in with your username and password. Your account will show your approval date and calculate your Medicare start date from there.
If you do not have an online account, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or address on file).
You can also call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask when your Medicare will start. Have your Social Security number ready. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
What to do if you think you should have Medicare but do not
If your 24 months have passed and you have not received a Medicare card or seen Medicare deducted from your check, contact Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Bring your award letter showing your approval date so they can verify when your coverage should have started.
If there was a delay in processing, Social Security can backdate your Medicare coverage to the correct start date. This means any medical bills you paid out of pocket during that gap period may be covered retroactively by Medicare, though you will need to file claims to recover those costs.
If you have already received your Medicare card but have questions about your coverage or how to use it, you can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Medicare representatives can answer questions about what is covered, how to find doctors, and how to file claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be approved for SSDI to get early Medicare, or can I get it another way?
SSDI and RRB disability benefits are the main paths to early Medicare. There is no other way to get Medicare before 65 based on disability alone. If you have not been approved for SSDI or RRB benefits, you cannot get Medicare early, even if you are unable to work.
What if I was approved for disability but I am appealing a denial or waiting for a hearing?
Your 24-month clock only starts once you have been approved and are receiving benefits. If you are still in the appeal process, the clock has not started yet. Once you win your appeal and benefits begin, the 24 months will start from that new approval date.
Can I delay my Medicare Part B to avoid the premium?
You can ask Social Security to remove you from Part B before your coverage starts, but delaying Part B after it has already begun will result in a permanent penalty. If you decline Part B now and change your mind later, the 10% penalty per year will be added to your premium for life. Talk to a benefits counselor before making this choice.
If I have Medicaid, do I still get Medicare at 24 months?
Yes. Having Medicaid does not change your Medicare may be able to access. At 24 months of SSDI or RRB benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare. You may be able to keep both Medicaid and Medicare at the same time — this is called "dual may be able to access" status. Contact your state Medicaid office to understand how your coverage will work together.
What if I go back to work and my disability benefits stop?
If you return to work and your disability benefits end before you reach 24 months, your Medicare will not start. If you have already reached 24 months and your benefits end, your Medicare continues — it does not stop just because your disability benefits do. Once you have Medicare, you keep it even if your circumstances change.