Policy and Systems

Special Railroad Retirement Board Terms Defined

The following are definitions of certain terms used throughout this booklet.

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How to Report an Event

If, at any time after you have completed your application, you find that one of the conditions explained in this booklet applies to you, you should immediately notify the RRB in writing. The notice should be sent to the RRB office at the address shown on the receipt for your application. However, if you wish, you may also call or visit that office.

When you report an event, be sure to include the following in your letter:

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Events You Must Report

This section describes the different events that may affect your disability benefits. You should be aware of these different events and notify us immediately if any of them apply to you.

The events you should report can affect:

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Part IV - Events That Can Affect Your Disability

Read more about Part IV - Events That Can Affect Your Disability

Enrollment for Medicare

As soon as you are determined to be eligible for Medicare, you will automatically be enrolled for hospital insurance coverage (Part A). You pay nothing for this coverage. You will also be automatically enrolled for supplemental medical insurance coverage (Part B). You will have to pay a monthly premium for Part B. If you receive an annuity, the premium will usually be deducted from your monthly payments. If you choose not to receive Part B coverage, you must notify the Railroad Retirement Board.

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When Your Early Medicare Could End

Medical Recovery

If it is determined that your condition has improved and that you are medically able to work, your Medicare coverage will end (see Part V, Item 3, for the definition of medical recovery). This is true whether or not you have actually worked. When this happens, your early Medicare coverage ends with the later of:

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When Your Early Medicare Can Begin

Your Medicare coverage will begin on the later of:

the first day of the 25th month you are entitled to receive annuity payments, or
the first day of the 30th calendar month after your disability began.

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Eligibility Requirements for Early Medicare

To be eligible for Medicare coverage before age 65, a disabled widow(er) annuitant must:

be at least age 50, and
permanently disabled before the end of the prescribed period (see Part V, Item 6, for the definition of prescribed period).

An individual with permanent kidney failure (chronic renal disease) is eligible at any age. However, the Social Security Administration must be contacted for this coverage.

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Types of Medicare Coverage

This part provides general information about early Medicare coverage. For a more complete explanation of the Medicare program, please refer to booklet RB-20, "Medicare for Railroad Workers and Their Families".

Medicare is the Federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and certain disabled people. One part of Medicare (Part A) provides hospital insurance benefits. Another part (Part B) provides supplementary medical insurance.

Hospital insurance helps pay for:

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