It’s common knowledge that Medicare is available for people 65 and over, but you may be surprised to learn that about 10% of Medicare beneficiaries, or nearly 7 million people, are under age 65. Medicare was established in 1965, as a program to provide health insurance for older adults. In 1972, Medicare coverage was expanded to cover those under 65 who were disabled, as well as people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.
Disabilities covered under Medicare for people under 65 Medicare coverage for people under 65 with disabilities is tied to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. “To get Medicare coverage under age 65 for a disability, you need to have been collecting SSDI payments for 24 months, and then in the twenty-fifth month, you become eligible for Medicare,” says Emily Whicheloe, Director of Education at the Medicare Rights Center . To qualify for SSDI payments, you must first have a disability or blindness that “affects your ability to work for a year or more or will result in death,” according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
SSDI beneficiaries are typically older, with serious physical or mental challenges, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The most common cause of disability for SSDI beneficiaries 50 and older are musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and scoliosis. The primary cause of disability for SSDI beneficiaries under 50 include mental disorders.