Gaps in Medical coverage when someone retires early?

My wife is 52 and going to be retiring early due to complications with her shunt and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The city Government my wife works for is giving us a hard time about her going out on a Disability Pension. The big problem if the city doesn't approve the Disability pension will be the insurance gap and my wife Can Not be with out Insurance. 52 years old and 29 years of service does not grant her full Insurance coverage until she turns 55. Would Medicare or Medicaid be able to pick up the years 52 and a half to 55 until the city would take over? Our life has been in limbo for the last year and a roller coaster is an understatement, Thanks for your help.

On Edit: My wife no longer drives and I am her caregiver. I could get a job as an otr truck driver for health Insurance but then I would have to pay someone to stay home and take care of my wife. People wonder why this Country rubs me the wrong way.

who took disability from NIH. Unbelievable how they try to prevent someone from getting disability. But the rules are arcane, and you need a specialist. For example, she had multiple problems, but the lawyer said to claim only one. He was right. Cost her $, but was worth it. Good luck.

SSDI to get on. It takes two years to get Medicare.

medicare is only available after being on disability for 2 years. Maybe medicade but I think there is a limit on how much money you make in the family.

about 23 thousand a year and I think we will make to much to qualify.