Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Questions About USA Social Security Disability Benefits General Questions about SDI

Hi everyone. I've been reading through old threads. Lots of great info here. Thanks to all who have contributed (esp. Rich!).
I have some questions I haven't seen the answers for:

If my wife (w/AS) goes on disability, does she HAVE to use Medicaid or can she continue to use my insurance through an employer?

If my wife's condition improves, can she go off of disability and then back on if necessary?

Has anyone ever worked in an industry that had a ton of jobs, many of which didn't last more than 3 months? In compiling her work history, we're not sure how to handle that. She is/was a TV Producer and sometimes jobs only lasted a few weeks or 2 months or so. I know they have to create these boxes for the masses, but her work history really wonks their requirements. Suggestions?

She can't get Medicare until she is on disability for two years, and it is medicare NOT medicaid...very very different. She can stay on yours and go to Medicare after the two year mark or when she wants to.

They have programs where you can try to go back to work and they give you time to adjust and try it. The Social Security site has all the info, as it is rather complicated.

They go back 10 years and it is divided into "quarters" They take the year/quarter that where she made the most money. I kept working but went to part time and worked fewer and fewer hours until I could couldn't work more than a couple hours a week. They counted the years where I was working full time and not the last couple where I made less money.

Anna

I know this is late from the date of your initial posting but will share what I know and maybe help others.
It is true that one must be on SS Disability for two years before being eligible for Medicare.
A spouse who is disabled can still be on the working spouses insurance which will be considered the primary insurance and Medicare will be considered secondary.
If a person is receiving Medicare and is also on another policy (not a Supplimental) the Medicare will ALWAYS be considered secondary.

In my case, my employer had Long Term Disability insurance and I was also eligible to continue my employers group insurance under COBRA. This is usually very expensive but luckily our LTD policy subsidized $1200 a month for the COBRA.

They had backdated my disability to 12 months so I only had to wait 4 months to be on Medicare. Just checked my card dates and at least in my state, no 5 month waiting period.

Anna