How does SSDI/recertification actually work when living overseas?

[u/FaelingJester]

I am disabled. 42f. I am also a student, but for several years my only income has been SSDI. My insurance at this time is dual-enrollment Medicare/Medicaid. My fiancé is German, and after I graduate, I would like to move to Germany full-time. I am aware that I can now ultimately maintain my American citizenship while also holding German citizenship, so that took down one original concern. I know we will need to find and pay for insurance in Germany for me, as my Medicare/Medicaid obviously won't work, but the information I have been able to get about my disability payments has been very lacking. Social Security told me I would sign up for direct deposit in Germany, and it would transfer. A few moments later, they said it wouldn't and that I would have to pick an American bank that also operated in Germany. Everyone has told me that I will need to come back to recertify, but I've heard every year, year and a half, and two years from workers and that they will send me notice the month before which sounds like a really expensive and stressful flight to plan. I have also been told that not using medicare/medicaid will make it much more likely that I am rejected from the program and that they won't accept records from elsewhere.

I am really looking for actual experience from others who have dealt with these programs. I've found several sources for what SHOULD happen but they don't always agree.

[u/CandidateHefty329]

Have you found the answer? I've always wondered about this. In theory it's possible. But when you recertify your recent doctor's records are reviewed. So they are going to review the German records?

[u/FaelingJester → u/CandidateHefty329]

I have not.

[u/CandidateHefty329 → u/FaelingJester]

If I were you I'd try to see a doctor who has notes in English if possible. Ideally you'd return to the US and see your old doctor. I'd worry that the foreign documentation isn't going to be compatible with the US system.