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Be sure to apply for Medicare Part B

Social Security disability recipients are incurring massive financial costs because they did not enroll soon enough for Medicare Part B. They also incur a premium penalty for late enrollment.

Usually there is no extra premium charge with Part A, however the standard premium for Part B (for 2007 it is $93.50) is usually deducted from the Social Security check of the claimant.

The recipient of Social Security disability benefits should sign up for Medicare Part B at the first available opportunity. It would be foolish to opt out of Part B to save monthly premiums.

People who are under 65 years old and who have collected Social Security Disability payments for 24 months are eligible for Medicare, Parts A and B

Most health care plans and insurance companies require the participant to enroll in both Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital costs, and Part B, which covers outpatient costs.

These health insurance plans will not pay for any hospital or medical bills for a Medicare eligible person that Medicare Plans A and B would have covered. Therefore, someone who is eligible fore Medicare, but does not apply for both Plans A and B will not be covered for their medical expenses even if they have a private insurance policy or are in a
Private health plan.


A wide range of services for disabled persons and their dependents are covered under Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B services include: facility fees for ambulatory and outpatient surgery, physician charges, clinical laboratory services, routine costs for persons enrolled in clinical trials testing the effectiveness of new cancer drugs, injectable or infusion drugs used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases and colorectal cancer screenings.


Also, diabetes screenings and monitoring supplies, periodic mammograms, second surgical opinions, home health skilled nursing services, kidney dialysis service and supplies either in a facility or at home, transplant services to include immunosuppressive drugs under specific conditions, and cardiovascular screenings
After receiving 24 monthly benefit payments, those with Social Security Disability become eligible. However, they may be able to become eligible shortly after their first payment if they receive past due benefits in a lump sum.

If the person misses the initial enrollment, health benefits may be continued to be paid erroneously by the private insurance company for a period of time until it is recognized that the option was available for the insured to apply for Medicare Part B and the insured did not take advantage of that option. At that point, the company will look for the date the option was available and request that the payments be refunded.

There is every reason for an eligible Social Security disability recipient to apply for Medicare Part B. There is no good reason not to do so,

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