Just learned that I am booted off of Medicaid and have Medicare

[backtoblue]

I've been on disability for two years. I am 38 years old and have ALOT of medical visits.

Medicaid paid 100% of most of my health needs. I am a single mom living on a fixed income. I do not qualify for food stamps.

I can't get through the Medicare number to get any information. We barely scratch by each month and now I'm terrified that I won't be able to get medical care that I can afford, as I've been told Medicare has copays on everything. I learned about the change when I went to fill my prescriptions, because I had to pay out of pocket for them.

I'm sick and feeling a little hopeless. How is it that the poorest and sickest have to go through so much in order to get help?

If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.

[yallerdawg]

1. My understanding is that if you qualify for Medicare...

after 2 years on 100% disability, you can be transferred over to Medicare coverage without the age reqirement.

If you are 100% disabled, you'll have 100% Medicare coverage!

[backtoblue]

2. Does that mean no copays or out of pocket?

Yes, I am 100% disabled. Your answer let me exhale a little. Thank you!

[yallerdawg]

5. You may still have some digging to do depending on your state?

Check out this link:

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/approval.html

You can call the offices and leave your number for a return call when your name comes up - I find the Federal people to be very helpful. the state people a little more short and irritable - but fix you up they will!

[backtoblue]

6. Arkansas.....

I talked to someone at my county DHS and she told me it was mandatory to go on Medicare after two years of being on disability.

Monday I'm going to the library to do more research and see if I can appeal it somehow.

I have a hysterectomy scheduled for next month due to a tumor and ovarian cyst. And in the process of scheduling another MRI for a fractured L5.

I'm learning all this crap at a very early age. I can't even imagine how the elderly have to go through all of this "red tape".

[yallerdawg]

7. If you're low-income (like so many of us!)...

Medicare Extra Help:

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp/


Often, your disability income would match your full Social Security retirement benefit, but it also has to do with how much you got in before your disability (of course). If it's SSI, that's even less!

You can also dig around in your county and state health systems to find advocate offices and counselors who can guide you through many things many more "affluent" people don't know about - they never needed it, they never qualified?


I can't tell you how many people don't know when they don't need to know. You know?

[yallerdawg]

9. Here's another link:

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html#collapse-2625

My son volunteers at the public library. He often helps people get to things like this on the library computers since not everyone can afford internet service, including financially-strapped fixed-income disabled retirees!

[backtoblue]

10. Thanks yallerdawg!

I'm going to the library, SS office, and DHS on Monday to try to make sense of it.

(Or at least start with the library and go from there)

[yallerdawg]

11. Well, good luck with it all - and the operation.

Sometimes, all we got to do is ask!

[DURHAM D]

3. Medicare is 80/20 coverage, not 100%.

[Alwaysna]

4. I've been in similar situations.

By all means appeal the medicaid ruling! Many who get booted off don't know to appeal the ruling but you will probably be successful especially if you get a legal aid attorney to help you.

[backtoblue]

14. Thanks!

Gonna start getting this figured out after the weekend. The irony of being disabled and poor after years of a good career and insurance.

It's a big change...

[marble falls]

8. First of all call/write/email Medicare to get a document on the workings of your specific ...

program package. Maybe walk into the office with a big book and offer to wait until someone can help you or make an appointment to get you to the individual who can explain it to you.

Next go see a Medicare/Medicaid attorney. For free he will tell you your rights and what he can do to get you the coverage you need.

Doing these two things will help with your anxiety and give you the clear picture you need to plan. This process works.

[backtoblue]

13. Hi marble

I'm gonna get things going on Monday.
I'm just trying to calm down and not worry over the weekend. I hope you've been well. Miss ya in the red folder!

[marble falls]

15. Hey! it made me concerned to see the trouble you're having with your health care ...

being a geezer, related to geezers and friend to many more geezers I know there are good answers to your questions. Please contact me at my PM if there's anything I can do even if its to vent your frustrations because, well, after all this is is the Medicare bureaucracy and a Trump Medicare bureaucracy at that. BUT they do have rules and they can be untangled. That's what the lawyer's for. A free consultation just might be all that's needed to get you the clarification you deserve.

Been going through another round of immunotherapy, had one yesterday and the last one this time will be next week. I feel as good as I've ever felt, just tired and flu-ish. About the time I feel really great it'll be Thursday and time for the last one. Thank G*d for VA. Its good and so far cheetolini hasn't done much harm.

I bought two looms, one I'm rebuilding and one that my son picked up for me in Ohio that I need to ship down here. I'm going to start teaching weaving again. I teach oil and acrylic painting now one day a week.

Going back this next session, are you on now or sitting out like me?

[backtoblue]

16. I'm so glad you're feeling better!

I'm on this session. I can see why they make us take breaks...

Lol

[marble falls]

17. I know! But I've been catching them out here on the outside. Caught Library girl twice last week...

Rhiannon and I are watching her again, she's being cagey, posting vanilla. Caught another MI a week before that.

I'll be back for the election and I am ready for them.

[blueinredohio]

12. I have two brothers and a sister on disability due to heart disease

and they all have to have supplemental insurance to pay their medical bills and medicine.