What disabilities qualify a person for Medicare?
There are many health conditions and impairments that the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes as qualifying disabilities (called listings). These include: musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disorders, neurological disorders, mental disorders, immune system disorders, and more.
Individuals under age 65 can qualify for Medicare if they have a qualifying disability (as determined by the SSA) and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 consecutive or non-consecutive months. Individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can qualify for Medicare at any age, without first having to receive SSDI benefits for 24 month.
Note: According to the SSA, a diagnosis of HIV alone is not considered a qualifying disability for the purposes of SSDI eligibility. Individuals with HIV can qualify for SSDI if they have either a serious HIV-related condition, a qualifying CD4 count, repeated hospitalizations, or repeated manifestations of HIV.
Learn More:
- Duke Law School: Fact Sheet on SSA HIV Disability Listings
- Social Security Administration: Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (Blue Book)
- Social Security Administration: HIV Listing #14.11