Social Security benefits over 60 million Americans today, a large portion of those receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). Those enrolled in SSDI receive monthly benefits to ensure that they are financially stable despite their disability. However, as beneficial as SSDI is, the logistics of its benefits can sometimes be confusing.
A common concern among SSDI applicants is whether or not they'll be able to keep their current insurance, and whether or not their current insurance will affect their disability application.
Will my current health insurance affect my qualification for SSDI/SSI benefits?
No — thankfully, your current health insurance has no effect on your eligibility for SSDI and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits. Regardless of your current coverage, you are still able to apply for either Medicaid or Medicare. Aside from this, though, there are a few aspects of health insurance that are important to consider before applying for Social Security:
1. Determine whether or not your current insurance would qualify as primary or secondary to Medicaid/Medicare.
When you qualify for Social Security, you are able to keep SSDI along with whatever insurance you currently possess. Your current insurance will either stay your primary insurance or will drop below Medicaid/Medicare as secondary insurance. But what is the difference be-tween the two?
Primary insurance always pays first. This means for every hospital visit, check-up, or prescription, your primary insurance will pay the bulk of the costs. Secondary insurance, on the other hand, comes in after primary insurance has already paid. They typically pay all or some of the remainder of unpaid medical bills and are merely a supplement to your primary insurance.
If your employer qualifies as primary insurance, it is typically smart to keep it that way and let Social Security cover the remainder. This can also help save money by not having to pay premiums for full enrollment in Medicaid/Medicare. However, if your employer qualifies only as secondary insurance, it is recommended that you take the full benefits of what-ever Social Security you apply for.
2. Remember that qualifying for disability through other non-governmental institutions does not guarantee that you will qualify for Social Security.
Some jobs or institutions recognize disability outside of Social Security. While mentioning this can be beneficial in your SSDI application, it does not guarantee that you will qualify for government benefits. To see if your disability qualifies for Social Security, you can find a list of pre-approved disabilities on the SSA website or speak with your doctor about eligibility.
Consulting with a Social Security Attorney
Conducting research and applying for Social Security on your own can be lengthy, stressful, and confusing. It is also vital that applications are completed correctly, as any mistakes could lessen your chance of qualifying.
Social Security attorneys have expansive knowledge of the SSDI process that can help you avoid the common mistakes many applicants make. They can also present your case as favorably as possible to give you the best shot at receiving disability insurance. If you are thinking of filing for SSDI, consider speaking with a Social Security attorney beforehand to discuss your options.
