I have received SSDI in the past. I went to school and was…

Nice to meet you Pearl,

How are you doing today?

What type of job did you lose in January, and why did you lose your medical insurance?

Thanks for the info, Are you eligible for any other types of medical insurance or assistance, such as Medicaid or COBRA?

Thanks for answering my clarifying questions; I greatly appreciate your patience. I believe I have enough information to give an appropriate response. Feel free to provide additional information if need be as I work on the answer.

Let me type up the answer to your question and I will send it asap. This may take 1-10 minutes.

Thanks for being patient with me Pearl,

I understand that you are facing a difficult situation without medical insurance and being directed to Medicare when seeking assistance. It may feel like you're being forced into retirement when you're not ready to retire. Fortunately, there are options to explore that could help you obtain medical insurance without starting your Social Security retirement.
One option is to apply for Medicaid, which is a government program that provides medical insurance to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid eligibility requirements vary by state, so it's worth looking into your state's Medicaid agency to see if you qualify. Applying for Medicaid could provide you with the necessary medical coverage to continue working.
Another option is to consider COBRA, a federal law that allows individuals to continue their employer-sponsored health insurance after losing their job. Although you will need to pay the full premium cost, it can still be an option to explore, particularly if you need the insurance to cover essential medications.
You can also reach out to local community health clinics or hospitals to see if they offer low-cost or sliding-scale fee services for individuals without insurance. They may be able to provide essential medical services to you at a reduced cost.
It's important to note that if you decide to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you can still work and earn income without affecting your benefits. However, if you earn above a certain threshold, your benefits may be reduced. Therefore, exploring other options like Medicaid or COBRA may be preferable if you want to continue working.

Have I answered your question, Pearl? If any part of my response is unclear, please let me know.

I apologize for the confusion earlier, and thank you for clarifying your question. It is generally required to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) in order to enroll in Medicare Part B (medical insurance). However, if you are still working and have employer-sponsored health insurance, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B.
Once your employer-sponsored health insurance ends, you can enroll in Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period without affecting your Social Security retirement benefits. It is recommended to contact the Social Security Administration or the Medicare program directly to confirm your eligibility and enrollment options for Medicare Part A and Part B, as they can provide you with more detailed information and answer any specific questions you may have.

Is my answer specific enough to your question? Have I covered all your concerns?

If any part of my response is unclear, please let me know.