Questions & answers · Health insurance
I'm under 65 and get Social Security disability. When do I get Medicare?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov View original ↗
In short
- With disability benefits, you get Medicare after 24 months.
- At 65, you can get it too.
- Your card comes about 3 months before it starts.
What this means
Are you under 65 and getting Social Security disability benefits? Medicare.gov says you get Medicare automatically. It starts after 24 months of benefits. It starts sooner if you turn 65 first [1]. Your card comes in a welcome package. It arrives 3 months before coverage starts [1].
CMS gives the same 24 months for Part A [2]. Some government workers who do not get those benefits wait 29 months [2]. If you have ALS, Part A starts the first month you get disability benefits [2].
Your next step
Check your benefit start date with Social Security, then count 24 months. The sources do not explain how to appeal a disability decision.
Check it yourself
Open Medicare.gov, Which path is right for me?, at https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/other-paths and read the part quoted above. Source 2 lists another page to open. Your own plan or policy papers hold details these sources do not give: "Don't know yet" for your case.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Medicare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
If you're under 65 and getting disability benefits from Social Security, you get Medicare automatically after getting disability benefits for 24 months or when you turn 65 – whichever comes first. We'll mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts
[2] CMS · checked 2026-11-06
A person who is entitled to monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits on the basis of disability is automatically entitled to Part A after receiving disability benefits for 24 months . Disabled federal, state and local government employees who are not eligible for monthly Social Security or RRB benefits may get deemed entitlement to disability benefits and automatically entitled to Part A af…
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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Answer id CQ4509. Spotted an error? Tell us.