If you become eligible for Medicare because of a disability, and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months or railroad disability annuity checks, you will be automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

To find out if and when you will be eligible for Medicare if you are entitled to a railroad disability annuity, click on the link in the Related Questions box.

You do not need to contact anyone. You will receive a package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with your new Medicare card and a letter explaining how Medicare works and that you have been automatically signed up for both Medicare Part A and Part B. If you are receiving SSDI, your package and card will come from Social Security. If you get railroad disability annuity checks, your package and card will come from the Railroad Retirement Board.

The letter also explains that your monthly Part B premium will be automatically deducted from your Social Security check or railroad disability annuity check beginning the month your coverage begins. You will be given the option to turn down Part B.

Do not turn down Medicare Part B unless you have employer insurance from your or your spouse's current job. If you do not have employer insurance and you turn down Part B, you may have to pay a hefty premium penalty when you do sign up.

To learn more about what happens when you have employer insurance, click on the link in the GO TO box.

To learn more about the premium penalty, click on the link in the GO TO box.