When a person is awarded Railroad Retirement disability benefits – that person is generally entitled to Medicare benefits twenty-nine months after the date disability is determined. The date of disability or the Established Onset Date (EOD) is critical for when disability benefits are to begin and when an applicant is entitled to Medicare benefits.

For example, if a person is found disabled in June 2023, Medicare eligibility begins December 2025.

Unfortunately, what once was routine for disabled railroad workers in receiving Medicare benefits has now become a problem.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) determines eligibility for disability benefits administered by the RRB. Then the  Social Security Administration (SSA) determines whether a disabled railroad worker qualifies for Medicare under SSA rules.

My experience in this area was Medicare eligibility was virtually automatic once the RRB found a person disabled. However, the Social Security Administration “is way behind” in processing Medicare eligibility by railroad workers according to my sources with the RRB. Many disabled railroad workers claims for Medicare benefits are taking many more months for the SSA to evaluate a claim – and not always agreeing with the RRB. The consequence is railroad workers are without health insurance for even longer periods because of the delay by the SSA in evaluation of railroad worker claims and they may even be denied Medicare benefits before full retirement age. 

There are appeal options – which is a lengthy process. 

I am confident the SSA is overwhelmed with files and does not have enough resources to act as promptly as we would like or expect.

If you worked for a railroad and have questions about railroad disability benefits, we can be reached at telephone number 816-781-4836. Your calls are welcome.