Medicare coverage is available for people who receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. In most cases, you’ll need to wait 24 months before your Medicare coverage begins.

For most people, Medicare coverage is available when they reach 65 years. Medicare also provides coverage for people with disabilities. And this coverage does not have an age requirement.

If you qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you can get Medicare coverage, regardless of your age.

This article reviews the disability coverage offered through Medicare, including how you qualify, what it covers, and how much it costs.

2026 Medicare changes

We’re currently updating this article to reflect 2026 costs and other changes.

Read about what’s changing: Open Enrollment for Medicare: Key Changes to Know About Your Plan

You can qualify for Medicare if you have a disability and have been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Keep in mind that SSDI only covers full disability. In most cases, you’ll need to wait 24 months before your Medicare coverage begins.

There is a 2-year waiting period that begins the first month you receive a Social Security benefit check. At the start of your 25th month of SSDI coverage, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

Am I eligible for Medicare disability coverage if I am younger than age 65?

Medicare disability coverage doesn’t have an age requirement. You can get Medicare coverage as long as you have a disability and have been approved for SSDI.

There are two exceptions to the 2-year waiting period. If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, you’ll be enrolled in coverage in the first month you receive SSDI.

If you have end stage renal disease (ESRD), your Medicare coverage normally begins after you’ve received 3 months of dialysis treatment.

The first step to getting Medicare coverage if you have a disability is to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Your disability will need to meet the standards set by the Social Security Administration to qualify for coverage. Generally, this means you are unable to work and that your condition is expected to last for at least a year.

Medicare doesn’t determine who is eligible for disability coverage. You don’t need to take any further steps if the Social Security Administration has approved your disability application. You’ll just need to wait the required 24 months, and you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

Once you’ve been approved for SSDI, you’ll be automatically enrolled at the start of your 25th month of receiving benefits. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail during your 22nd month of SSDI benefits. Once you’re eligible, you’ll have coverage from Medicare Part A and Part B, also known as Original Medicare.

You are allowed to keep your Medicare coverage for as long as a medical professional deems you medically disabled.

If you’re under age 65 and return to work, you won’t have to pay a premium for Part A for the next 8.5 years.

Once that 8.5-year time period has passed, if you’re still younger than age 65, you’ll begin paying the Part A premium.

In 2025, the standard Part A premium is either $285 or $518 each month, depending on how long you or your spouse are married, worked, and paid Medicare taxes.

Your Medicare costs will depend on your specific circumstances. Unlike standard insurance plans, each Medicare part has its own costs and rules.

Part A costs

In 2025, hospitalization costs with Medicare Part A include:

  • Deductible: $1,676 for each benefit period
  • Days 1–60: after the deductible has been met, inpatient stays will be completely covered until the 60th day of the benefit period
  • Days 61–90: $419 per day coinsurance
  • Day 91 and above: $838 per day coinsurance until you exhaust your lifetime reserve days (60 days for a lifetime)
  • After 60 lifetime reserve days: you pay all costs

Part B costs

Your Medicare Part B premium will be deducted from your SSDI check. The standard Part B premium for 2025 is $185 per month (or higher, depending on your income).

The deductible for Medicare Part B in 2025 is $257. After you meet the deductible, some services are covered in full. You’ll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for other services.

Medicare cost assistance

You might be eligible for assistance paying your premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments.

There are currently four Medicare savings programs available to help cover these costs:

These plans are designed to help people with incomes below preset levels pay for their Medicare coverage. You must meet income requirements to qualify.

Is disability Medicare different than regular Medicare?

You get the same benefits from Medicare whether you qualify under a disability or because you’re over age 65.

Does Medicare automatically come with disability?

You can get Medicare coverage for a disability 24 months after qualifying for SSDI benefits.

Medicare coverage is available for people with a disability who receive SSDI. You’ll automatically be enrolled in parts A and B after your 24th month of SSDI benefits.

You can choose to decline Medicare Part B coverage if you have other options that work better for your budget.

You’ll generally pay premiums for only Part B, but there are deductibles and coinsurance costs for both parts. You can get help paying your premiums and other costs with Medicare assistance plans.