What disabilities qualify for Medicare under the age of 65?

Asked by: Genesis Kerluke  |  Last update: April 14, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (20 votes)

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger than age 65 with certain disabilities, permanent kidney failure, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), may also be eligible for Medicare.

What conditions qualify for Medicare under 65?

If you are under 65, you may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Medicare is divided into four parts: Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice.

What disability is covered under Medicare?

Medicare eligibility for those under 65 includes people who already receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, those diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and individuals living with End-Stage Renal Disease.

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

It includes:
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
  • Special Senses and Speech, such as blindness and hearing loss.
  • Respiratory Disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and respiratory failure.
  • Cardiovascular System, such as hypertension and heart disease.

When did Medicare cover younger adults with disabilities?

Medicare was established in 1965 as the health insurance program for Americans age 65 and over; since 1973, it has also covered people under age 65 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Medicare Supplements for Under 65 | Medicare Disability

21 related questions found

Does SSDI automatically qualify for Medicare?

If you're getting Social Security disability benefits, you'll get Medicare automatically after getting disability benefits for 24 months. If you have ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease) you'll get Medicare automatically as soon as you start getting disability benefits.

Who is eligible for SSI disability for adults?

A disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older.
  • You have little or no income (like wages and Social Security benefits) SSI is generally for individuals who don't earn more than $2,019 from work each month. ...
  • You have little or no resources (things you own) ...
  • You have a disability or are age 65 or older.

What are the most approved disabilities?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

What illnesses qualify for adult disability payment?

To get Adult Disability Payment, you must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, or be terminally ill.

What conditions are not considered a disability?

Broken limbs, sprains, concussions, appendicitis, common colds, or influenza generally would not be disabilities. A broken leg that heals normally within a few months, for example, would not be a disability under the ADA.

What are 14 major types of disability?

The majority of IDEA appropriations are allocated to states by formula to carry out activities under Part B, which covers 14 disability categories: (1) autism, (2) deaf-blindness, (3) deafness, (4) emotional disturbance, (5) hearing impairment, (6) intellectual disability, (7) multiple disabilities, (8) orthopedic ...

Who qualifies for Medicare special needs plans?

To be eligible for a special needs plan, an individual must fit into one of the following groups: People who live in certain institutions (like nursing homes) or who require nursing care at home. People who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

What qualifies as a disability for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare under age 65, you generally need to have a disability that makes you unable to work for at least a year. Examples include certain cancers, respiratory illnesses and musculoskeletal disorders. The disability requirements come from the Social Security Disability Insurance program, or SSDI.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

What kind of insurance do you get with disability?

Health Care Coverage for Disability Beneficiaries

Individuals who are receiving Social Security disability insurance (DI) become eligible for Medicare after receiving DI for two years. Low-income individuals who receive SSI are generally eligible for Medicaid immediately.

What is the easiest condition to get disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What disabilities can I claim?

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security Listing of Impairments - Adult Listings (Part A)
  • 1.00. Musculoskeletal Disorders.
  • 2.00. Special Senses and Speech.
  • 3.00. Respiratory Disorders.
  • 4.00. Cardiovascular System.
  • 5.00. Digestive Disorders.
  • 6.00. Genitourinary Disorders.
  • 7.00.
  • 8.00. Skin Disorders.

What is a qualifying disability?

We consider you to have a qualifying disability under our rules if all the following are true: You cannot do work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level because of your medical condition. You cannot do work you did previously or adjust to other work because of your medical condition.

What is automatically approved for disability?

There are no conditions that automatically qualify you for disability benefits (though some may qualify you for faster approval). However, the Social Security Administration (SSA)'s “Blue Book” lists conditions it will consider for review for people applying for disability benefits.

What is the most overlooked disability?

Q: What Is the Most Commonly Overlooked Disability? A: Generally, the most overlooked disabilities are mental health disorders. These include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, to name a few. They are often overlooked and misunderstood.

What gives 100% disability?

The 100 percent disability rating is often awarded to veterans with two or more limbs that have been amputated or paralyzed or for veterans with active service-related diseases such as cancer, severe cardiac conditions, or psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, bipolar, depression, or schizophrenia.

What is the hardest state to get disability?

As of 2024, Utah is the hardest state to initially get approved for SSDI. It has an approval rating of 44.64% for first-time applicants. Who Is Eligible for Maximum Disability? A person who meets the SSA's work history and disability requirements is eligible for the maximum disability amount of $3,822 a month.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

What is the $943 Social Security payment?

If you're wondering about the amounts for these SSI checks, the SSA has set a maximum monthly amount of $943 for individuals and up to $1,415 for couples in 2024. Some states even offer additional SSI supplements, increasing the overall payment for residents of places like California and New York.