Re: insurance for seniors - local Departments of Aging

September 22, 2007

Our state also has a Department of Aging and a Social Services office. I have

used it for my mother who is 92, but never thought of calling them myself. I

have gone to their web site often for help and for ideas. Actually, in helping

my Mom I have learned a lot that has helped us, especially in dealing with

medications and the prescription part of insurance.

Much of the extra help that comes through Medicaid is based on income (usually

Social Security) and assets. My mom has no assets, so that has helped us get

her additional assistance with her medical needs.

My Medicare also shows the xolair actually under the chemotherapy number.

That is how it is billed. Even with my supplemental I would have about a $30

co-pay for my xolair shot but I get it at a clinic that does continuing research

on xolair and other drugs used for asthma and asthmatics who are also diabetics,

so the doctor does not charge me the additional fee, even though I am not part

of a study.

That's what I know. By the way, Fran is the reason I called Medicare and

asked what they paid for xolair shots. My supplemental insurance would have had

me pay a huge monthly co-pay--at least huge for our retired income with all of

the other co=pays for the asthma medicine. So, thanks again, Fran, for your

sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us.

Adah

pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote:

I think most states have county Departments of Aging that have case

managers or social workers who can walk seniors through insurance

options in their states. Departments of Social SErvices usually

administer medicare/medicaid and should be a reasonably good resource

as well (although it varies widely depending on local resources).

We're lucky in my area - our county dept of aging recently won some

major award. They have a lot of programs and activities and

resources.

> My wife's employer pays for our medical insurance which

pays for my

> Xolair shots. She will retire in a couple years and loose the

> coverage. My employer doesn't offer medical insurance.

>

> I have some questions about this upcoming situation:

>

> 1. If I find a new employer that offers medical insurance, am I

likely

> to have the new insurance company deny Xolair costs as a treatment

for

> a pre-existing condition?

>

> 2. I'll turn 65 in a few years. Will medicare or medigap or

medicare

> drug coverage pay the Xolair costs and what will the copays be?

>

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>

September 25, 2007

I think you could also get advice starting here

http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp and click on your

state

----- Original Message -----

From: Adah Voigt

Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 5:52 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] insurance for seniors - local Departments of Aging

Our state also has a Department of Aging and a Social Services office. I have

used it for my mother who is 92, but never thought of calling them myself. I

have gone to their web site often for help and for ideas. Actually, in helping

my Mom I have learned a lot that has helped us, especially in dealing with

medications and the prescription part of insurance.

Much of the extra help that comes through Medicaid is based on income (usually

Social Security) and assets. My mom has no assets, so that has helped us get her

additional assistance with her medical needs.

My Medicare also shows the xolair actually under the chemotherapy number. That

is how it is billed. Even with my supplemental I would have about a $30 co-pay

for my xolair shot but I get it at a clinic that does continuing research on

xolair and other drugs used for asthma and asthmatics who are also diabetics, so

the doctor does not charge me the additional fee, even though I am not part of a

study.

That's what I know. By the way, Fran is the reason I called Medicare and asked

what they paid for xolair shots. My supplemental insurance would have had me pay

a huge monthly co-pay--at least huge for our retired income with all of the

other co=pays for the asthma medicine. So, thanks again, Fran, for your sharing

your wisdom and knowledge with us.