SSI, Medicaid and Medicare...do I have to sign up?

D

djd103

New Member
I am on SSI (lifelong), mind you that is not SSD but it is the lowest income SSI one can receive as a single disabled recipient. I have been on SSI since 1999, and have received Medicaid automatically ever since. I am 64 and will be 65 in June, when I am supposed to apply for and receive Medicare. Medicaid pays for all my medical expenses other than the most minute of copays. (.50 cents to max $2.00). I am covered completely by Medicaid, so do I have to sign up for Medicare? This is not the common sense answer, for the government often does not have common sense. DO I LEGALLY have to apply for and sign up and register for Medicare if I am on Medicaid and on SSI?
 

The question you should be asking is what happens if you don't? It would serve you better to talk to someone at our local SSA office.

Generally speaking, you should not see any financial changes on your part, if you sign up. It is best summed up as accounting changes between different federal and state agencies.
 

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Sometimes you can get good and accurate information from the government. But I would also try to confirm that by approaching a non-profit organization that works to advocate for the elderly.

You might also have some success in contacting the office of your Congressman. But first, you need to research whether that official tends to support programs for the elderly, or fight against them. So, you have the one Congressmen and the two Senators.

You might also have some success contacting your state representatives. Even though you are talking about federal programs, some aide there might take time with you to help you resolve your questions.

Politicians often publish their success stories in helping constituents. So, they often have a direct motivation to help you, in order to help themselves.

You might also try some of the major charities, like Catholic Community Services, the Salvation Army and others.

Best of luck to you, take care...
 
djd103 said:
I am on SSI (lifelong), mind you that is not SSD but it is the lowest income SSI one can receive as a single disabled recipient. I have been on SSI since 1999, and have received Medicaid automatically ever since. I am 64 and will be 65 in June, when I am supposed to apply for and receive Medicare. Medicaid pays for all my medical expenses other than the most minute of copays. (.50 cents to max $2.00). I am covered completely by Medicaid, so do I have to sign up for Medicare? This is not the common sense answer, for the government often does not have common sense. DO I LEGALLY have to apply for and sign up and register for Medicare if I am on Medicaid and on SSI?
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Hi. I am in the same circumstance as you. I am getting SSI for a long time now and medicaid. I, too, have been wondering about Medicare so thanks for starting this thread. I will be 65 in Oct. I thought I could just stay on Medicaid and not be bothered by Medicare. I've been getting so much mail about it from insurance companies. I don't even know if I am eligible for Medicare. I'll follow this thread, though. Best wishes to you!
 
@Ruthanne

Medicaid is linked to receipt of SSI benefits in most States. Medicare is linked to entitlement to Social Security benefits. It is possible to get both Medicare and Medicaid. States pay the Medicare premiums for people who receive SSI benefits if they are also eligible for Medicaid. SSI will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare.
 
Gemma said:
@Ruthanne

Medicaid is linked to receipt of SSI benefits in most States. Medicare is linked to entitlement to Social Security benefits. It is possible to get both Medicare and Medicaid. States pay the Medicare premiums for people who receive SSI benefits if they are also eligible for Medicaid. SSI will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare.
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I didn't know I'd be automatically signed up. I just don't understand why. Thanks 😊
 
This is a great thread. I retired in June 2020. My partner went back to work because my health insurance through my company ended in December 2020. I am now on his health insurance. I will be 65 in October and I am already receiving numerous mailings from insurance companies suggesting I use them for my Medicare supplements. This is all new to me.

If I go on Medicare I would imagine his health insurance payments will decrease significantly. (He is 56.) Just not sure how to proceed. Should I go on the Medicare site a few months before my birthday to figure out the best program?
 
dseag2 said:
Should I go on the Medicare site a few months before my birthday to figure out the best program?
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Yes, start now... so you can be thoroughly confused by October! While that is not entirely a joke, you should start getting a feel for what you want, compared to what you can get.

If your partner has you on family or two singles, theoretically dropping to one single coverage should reduce cost.
 
I found this on AARP. It seems you will be expected to apply for Medicare. But it seems to me I automatically got my Medicare card from the government. :unsure: I was already on Social Security at the time. But don't wait...I suggest you contact SSA immediately. Just to verify...ask the same question you asked us and if you must be on both for sure, find out how to apply.
https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/medicaid-medicare-eligibility/
 
Note, that when you look for resources into this area, you run into a lot of websites, of law firms trying to solicit your business. And they often present like they are non-profit websites...
 
more information.

Government website (I often find these websites worse...obfuscating, you know, not all that clear...but, maybe there is some info in there)

https://www.usa.gov/disability-benefits-insurance

+++

and here's the website of US Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Senator Duckworth is a combat veteran who was wounded in action. She is a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel.
A combat veteran of the Iraq War, she served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. In 2004, when her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents, she lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm. She was the first female double amputee from the war. Despite her injuries, she sought and obtained a medical waiver that allowed her to continue serving in the Illinois Army National Guard until she retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2014.

And so, since she lost both legs, I would clearly assume that her and her office are very big advocates for the disabled and intimately familiar with the disability process.

https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/

You might think, "Oh, I don't want to bother a US Senator over my problems...but, you know, that is exactly why they exist, to help people. I had problems getting disability. We went to my Congressman's office. An aide was extremely helpful. Got everything going. Smooth sailing..just because of that one helpful person...
 
dseag2 said:
This is a great thread. I retired in June 2020. My partner went back to work because my health insurance through my company ended in December 2020. I am now on his health insurance. I will be 65 in October and I am already receiving numerous mailings from insurance companies suggesting I use them for my Medicare supplements. This is all new to me.

If I go on Medicare I would imagine his health insurance payments will decrease significantly. (He is 56.) Just not sure how to proceed. Should I go on the Medicare site a few months before my birthday to figure out the best program?
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You of course are more than welcome to continue to watch this thread. But since you are asking your own question concerning your specific concerns, you are better served to open your own thread and enter a subject heading specific to your query, okay? Just letting you know.
 


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