SSDI & Medicare

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare are two government programs that provide important services to people living with Parkinson’s and many other diseases.  PAN works in coalition on important issues such as Medicare drug coverage, disability benefits for those unable to work because of their disease, and access to physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program designed to provide income to people, under the age of 65, who are unable to work due to a disability.  People living with Parkinson’s, who are unable to work due to their disease, may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits.  More. 

Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D)
The Medicare prescription drug coverage, also known as Medicare Part D, is insurance that covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs for those over the age of 65. More.

Medicare Therapy Caps
Current law limits, or caps, on the amount of outpatient physical and speech therapy and outpatient occupational therapy a Medicare beneficiary can receive each calendar year. PAN supports the repeal of these therapy caps. More.

Parkinson's Disease Work-Related Disability Assessment

Through our work in the Parkinson’s community, the Parkinson's Action Network has learned that people with Parkinson’s may have trouble receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to inadequate documentation of symptoms in their medical record. The purpose of the form found at the link below is to ensure that information that may be relevant to how Parkinson’s disease affects your ability to work is included in your medical record, particularly if you think you may apply for SSDI or SSI.  View the Form.