I was fortunate in that my Medicare qualification was retroactive to include my waiting period for the time it took for the appeal process. During this waiting/appeal process though I did qualify for the state Medicaid assistance for health care and prescription drugs (which is federal) but you have to file through the state Health and Human Services Dept /Welfare Dept for Medicaid to get into the system. You may have already done this or might be something to consider to help in the interim.

I didn't tell people about the Medicaid or the disability now, except as a need to know basis. It would be just like I don't discuss my salary when I'm working, none of their business.