End Medicare Waiting Period
In 1972, Congress passed Social Security legislation extending Medicare coverage to persons who were disabled and receiving disability insurance benefits for 24 months. Because there is a five month waiting period from the time a person becomes disabled, until they qualify to receive disability benefits, the actual waiting time is at least 29 months.
Initially the idea was that persons who had health insurance through work could continue to be covered through COBRA for 29 months. They would then be eligible for Medicare after the expiration of the 29 months. Unfortunately, many persons do not have health insurance through their employer, and even those who do, cannot afford to pay the premiums after becoming disabled. Social Security disability only pays a fraction of a person’s average earnings.
There are a few exceptions. Persons with ALS and kidney failure requiring dialysis, do not have the same waiting period. However, many disabled persons with chronic conditions, which need to be managed and carefully monitored, are not able to afford the medical treatment and medication they need. When a person's condition becomes so severe it becomes an emergency, they end up going to the hospital. This results, usually, in an unpaid hospital visit, and the cost is passed on to the public.
Many Social Security disability claimant's conditions deteriorate while waiting for Medicare coverage. By the time they qualify for Medicare, it is unlikely that medical treatment will restore their ability to return to work.
Although eliminating the 24 month waiting period for Medicare may initially increase the Medicare budget, this increase may be offset by reduced utilization of hospitals for non-emergent care and reduced expenditures for the Social Security disability program, if prompt medical treatment can restore a person’s ability to return to work.
Several congresspersons have advocated ending the Medicare waiting period for individuals with disabilities. The primary supporter has been Congressman Gene Green. There have been a number of co-sponsors, but not enough to move the legislation to a vote. A number of health related organizations and disability advocates have also supported legislation to end the Medicare waiting period for persons with disabilities.
If you agree that Congress should pass a bill ending the Medicare waiting period for individuals with disabilities, Please sign this e-petition. I will periodically forward the petition to all members of Congress.
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