Mona called our office after finally receiving approval of her Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). "I need help finding out what coverage I'm entitled to," she expressed. A meeting with a Certified Medicare Planner® was set up to guide her with the answers she needed. It had taken her over 18 months to be approved for SSDI.
Narrowing Down 70 Plan Options
We explained that since she was under the age of 65, she would not qualify for a Medicare Supplement/Medigap (true, in most states), but she could have a Medicare Advantage plan that was all-inclusive with medical, prescription, and in some cases, even additional benefits. We continued our meeting by mentioning that there were over 70 plans in her county to choose from. Although 70 choices seemed stressful, we would research and guide her in selecting the most suitable plan together.
We compiled a list of her regular doctors, preferred hospital, and current prescriptions. Her insistence on retaining her current doctors simplified the research, as we could eliminate any plans that didn't include them. This process gave her knowledge and control over her healthcare decisions. After researching the available plans in her area, we found her doctors on five plans. But only three of them had both her doctors and the hospital she wanted. We then compared the prescription copays of the three plans and found that one had better copays than the other. Lucky for her, this plan also included dental coverage, as well as vision benefits for new glasses each year, and her primary doctor visits and labs were free. Based on what she wanted, the plan actually picked her!
"You've made this process so easy!" she declared; her voice filled with gratitude as we concluded her research. We also reassured her that if dissatisfied with the plan, she could switch Medicare Advantage plans each year during the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15th through December 7th. This flexibility provided her with a sense of security.
Do you have an underage friend on Medicare disability? Are they on the most appropriate plan available in their area? We can help guide them through the process just like we did for Mona.
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about Mona highlights something many people don't realize: if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you automatically become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period, regardless of your age. That's managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and it's completely separate from regular Medicare eligibility at age 65.
Here's what's particularly important for 2026: people under 65 on Medicare disability have different rules than older Medicare beneficiaries. Most states don't require insurance companies to sell Medicare Supplement plans to people under 65, which is why Medicare Advantage becomes the go-to option. The good news is that Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 often include extras like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage all in one plan, with many offering $0 monthly premiums beyond what you're already paying for Medicare Part B.
One question I get a lot is "Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan if I don't like it?" The answer is absolutely yes. Every year from October 15th through December 7th is the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period, when you can switch plans, and your new coverage starts January 1st. A little research during that window can make a big difference in your healthcare costs and coverage.