Have him read the Georgetown University guide on his health insurance rights and options in North Carolina.
http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/nc.pdf
Apparently North Carolina residents are guaranteed the right to buy health insurance the Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but the price can be high. Medicaid may be an option if disabled and very low income. The website for social security disability is at
http://www.ssa.gov/disability.html with links to medicare. I think there is a pretty long waiting period if I recall.
Edit: from the medicare website:
Before age 65, you are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance if:
* You have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months; or
* You receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions; or
* You have Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis); or
* You, your parent or your spouse (living or deceased, including a divorced spouse) worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job and you or they meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program.
If you have kidney disease
If you have permanent kidney failure, you are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance at any age. This is true if you receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant and:
* You are eligible for or receive monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system; or
* You have worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job; or
* You are the child or spouse (including a divorced spouse) of a worker (living or deceased) who has worked long enough under Social Security or in a Medicare-covered government job.
Medical insurance (Part B)
Anyone who is eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly premium.
