Jones: How to tell when Medicaid and Medicare apply to you

10.12.09

Q: Ms. M of Chattanooga writes: "I found your unite online and I hope you can help me too. Thank you for volunteering your in days of yore to relieve our stress. I am a 62-year-old disabled strife of a 65-year-old disabled male. My disabled mate started receiving SSD checks back in the 70's with no insurance available to him or myself for 20 addition years until I was disabled and granted SSI. My SSI was split in half to get him insured. Two days ago I was interviewed over the phone. They said I recall longer have SSI or my medicade insurance. They are, however letting my husband keep his since he is 65. They said I would now be a uninsured dependant of him until I am 65. I be acquainted with others that have been taken off SSI-D and Medicaid but they have been put on SS-D and given Medicare at 62 and age 44. I longing you can help give me understand this."

A: Most people must wait until age 65 to prepared for Medicare benefits. Some people can get Medicare at any age. This includes people who: (1) Have been getting Group Security disability benefits for 24 months; (2) Have kidney dud and require dialysis; (3) Have had a kidney transplant; or (4) Draw disability benefits because they suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's infirmity).

Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press