Question:

I am 65 and on SSDI due to my AE, do I have to sign up for Medicare or will it be adjusted to SSI at 66 years and seven months of age?

Answer:

Because you’re currently receiving Social Security disability benefits (SSDI),  your disability benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits at your full retirement age.

In most cases, the benefit amount will remain the same. You don’t need to do anything. You only get one benefit — Social Security retirement benefits — when you reach full retirement age.

Everyone eligible for Social Security disability insurance benefits is also eligible for Medicare after a 24-month qualifying period. At that time, you would have been automatically enrolled in both Medicare Parts A & B at the start of your twenty-fifth month. At that time, you would have had the option to decline or delay Medicare Part B. Some people choose to do that if they want to remain on a spouse’s employer-based plan.

If you currently have Medicare parts A and B, you don’t need to do anything because you are already participating in Medicare. The Medicare Part B premium is paid from your SSDI today and will be paid from your SSI when you reach full retirement age.

If you declined Medicare Part B at the time you became Medicare-eligible through SSDI, you can continue using the company-based plan until there is a change of circumstances, such as your spouse retiring.  At change in circumstance, you have an eight-month special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Part B. You’ll need to call the Social Security Administration to obtain the specific forms to complete with your Part B application. If you don’t, you may pay a penalty of up to 10% for each 12-month period you could have had Medicare part B but didn’t sign up.