Medicare & Medicaid Benefits | Law Offices of Sheryl Mazur

At The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of disabled individuals. We provide our clients with comprehensive legal services, striving to address the many legal needs of our clients. For those who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, this extends to helping with Medicare and Medicaid needs. We understand the terminology and the process can be confusing. With help from our firm, you can receive the medical care and government benefits you need. Please contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

New Jersey Medicare & Medicaid Benefits

Medicare is available to qualifying individuals who are 65 or older, or who are disabled, regardless of age. If you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits and are 65 years or older, you qualify for Medicare. If you are under 65 years of age but have been entitled to SSDI benefits for at least 24 months, you also qualify for Medicare. After you become entitled to SSDI benefits, there is a 24-month qualifying period before Medicare coverage begins. It is strongly recommended that this coverage be supplemented by another plan. The new prescription plan, Medicare Part D, is available with Medicare and reduces, but does not eliminate, prescription costs. Hospital insurance is classified as Medicare Part A. Additional optional coverage includes Medicare Part B (medical insurance), Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) and Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug plans).

On the other hand, Medicaid is a program that allows qualified persons, including those receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits or SSI child benefits, access to hospital and medical coverage. Medicaid is automatically offered to Supplemental Security Income recipients. It provides 100 percent prescription coverage. The Medicaid card goes into effect retroactively for up to three months prior to the month of application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare & the 24-Month Waiting Period

Does everyone wait 24 months for Medicare after SSDI is approved?

Not always. Two conditions waive the 24-month waiting period: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for which Medicare begins the same month SSDI benefits start, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which follows its own earlier Medicare track tied to dialysis or a kidney transplant.

How can I get health coverage during the 24-month Medicare waiting period?

Several options may bridge the gap. Depending on your income and situation, you may qualify for Medicaid, continue an employer plan through COBRA, or purchase a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Our firm can help you understand which coverage fits your circumstances.

Contact The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur

When you’re trying to make sense of Medicare, Medicaid, SSDI, or SSI, it can feel like you’re being asked to navigate an entire system written in a language you never learned. Questions start piling up fast, and before long you’re left wondering where to turn for real answers. That’s exactly why we’re here. At The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, you can sit down with a legal team that understands the rules, the deadlines, the terminology, and the real-world stakes that come with securing the benefits you rely on. If you need guidance, clarity, or someone to take the weight off your shoulders, contact The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.