Re: SSI, SSDI, Medicare Financial ASST

[Guest guest]

Hey Sissy,

I know you are hurting. That is when even when the hands and body hurt so much that we have to reach out and share with each other.

The sadness and depression in your post says so much.

The process of going through SSDI is no fun-- and yeah, it sucks that it is only about 25% of what you made while working. However, it does give you Medicare Part A (hospitalization) at no cost. The Part B monthly premium is $93.60--taken right off the top of your SSDI check. That part covers the medical portion of your medical needs (doctor's appt, xrays, CT's etc) The Part D is prescription Drug coverage and depending on what plan you choose, will determine the cost and coverage.

One thing to keep in mind is that Medicare now has a "limited income" category-- where if you make less than $15,600 yr and have resources less than $11,900 - single person *

or

Income less than $21,000 and resources less than $23,970 Married living with a spouse and no other dependants*

* These amounts will go up in 2009

Resources include money in a chekcing or savings acct, stocks, and bonds. Resources don't include your home, car, burial polot, upt to $1,500 for burial expenses (per person) furniture or other household items.

If you meet these guidelines your Medicare drug plan's monthly premium may be subsidized. You may pay a reduced premium or no premium for a basic plan. For an enhanced plan-- (it would cover more kinds of meds) you must pay the extra coverage amt, but at least part would be subsidized.

Go get help paying the yearly deductible, and help with coinsurance and copayments for drugs that are on the plans formulary. You generally pay all the costs from drugs that aren't on the formulary. It also waves the coverage gap.

--If you qualify for "Extra Help" if you meet one of these conditions:

- You have full Medicaid (MediCal) coverage.

- You get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums (belong to a Medicare Savings Program)

--You get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Income amts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii as those states are more expensive for medical care.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET BOTH SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND ssi-- THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.

*This info is straight from the Medicare 2009 Benefit Plan Booklet. www.medicare.gov

Depending on your income, you may get partial help or what is termed "Share of Cost." This generally applies to the Medicare/Medicaid enrollees, that don't qualify for full assistance. I know in California, that most of the disabled and seniors on minimal Social Security they automatically qualify for Medi/Medi.

I know it's an extreme hardship for all of us, and yes, the system is not easy to navigate-- but the last couple of years, the advancements we've made with sarcoidosis awarement has finally got us so that systemic, neuro, or advanced pulmonary/cardiac sarcoidosis is becoming easier to qualify.

It is such a difficult decision to finally surrender and allow ourselves to admit that we can no longer work-- that it is discouraging to read about someone like yourself that has had to go in for a liver transplant, is on immunosuppresive drugs to not destroy the liver-- and to fight this battle is horrible. But to further damage your health and well being by trying to work is also going to wreck havoc on your body. It is a fine line-- and an emotional one.

My heart goes out to Sissy, and I do hope that you will lean on us for support, and not make rash decisions -- there are answers and assistance, and we are all learning where to turn for help.

With compassion,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

To: Neurosarcoidosis Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 4:59:21 PMSubject: Re: was wondering tracie

I want to apologize for not writing and answering the many wonderful emails I've received. I don't feel very well these days and I only have enough energy to complete a daily routine and get rest to start the next day. I hurt so bad at the end of the day, and at the beginning:( Someone asked about social security in one of the emails and I want to tell them that if you're a regular working class person like myself, you're about to go to the poorhouse quickly. I have no savings, own no property, neither do I have a spouse to contribute. I applied to social security in '94 and '95. It was a run around. In 1996 I almost died and had to have a liver transplant> The day after the transplant relatives called social security, who were still considering my application and I was approved. I didn't receive any back pay. The checks were so meager that I could hardly believe that this was what I've been paying into for all of 40 years, and I was a

middle class wage earner. Oh! did I add that they will ask you to pay for your medicare which is probably by now over 100.00 a month. I was ending up with less than 700.00 a month. Over the years I received raises, but only 11 to 15 dollars a year. I couldn't afford anything, so with my transplant and an immunosupressed system I went out to find work. I am a nurse and thought I could find a sit down job that wouldn't be a problem. Wrong! I have been sick so many times since. They willl give you a trial period to seek work, 9 months. I never worked nine months in a row, I always got sick. Sometimes for more than a year I would be out of work. I misunderstood the rules, once you work the nine months, whether it's in a row or over the years, they will drop you from disability, and bill you for any overages. I don't want to sound cynical, but our government does not appear to want to offer any real help to those of us who are struggling. I have a job

now now, I usually work three days a week. Sometimes I miss an entire week. it's an agency so they don't really bother when I'm out for a while. i have to count every cent to live, but is still more than social security benefits. I struggle to jusy get out of bed, then I go to my assignment, smile and ask God to help thru each day. I go to a quiet corner and let the pain and hurt flow, I cry and I take medications to help.I do know that I'm on a dangerous path that will probably lead to an early demise, but I have no other choice. If i'm going to live at all I have to be able to afford medications and pay my household bills. I have to eat healthy, and did I mention that because I got $1163 minus $88.00 for medicare, I wasn't eligible for food stamps? For anyone out there who is reading this, I really didn't plan on this being such a long email, but I needed to talk, today I am in such pain all over. My last lab results (liver functions) were not great

and my kidney functions are down too, that I needed to talk. I can hardly walk now and have lost 13 pounds in less than three months, no one knows why, none of my doctors anyway. I have to take sleeping pills regularly because I can't sleep due to side from the many medications I take. Life for me is no longer fun, but it is a blessing to be alive. I do private duty for developmentally disabled children. They are happy people, even with thier lot in life and it constantly gives me something to smile about, oh yeah, I'm on anti depressants too! Gotta go now, but don't look for social security to help you live any quality or quantity of life, they won't! They do not understand Sarcoidosis or how devastating it is. Look for another way, a home business, internet, etc.... I wish luck to all who are living on social security; you're going to need it. I won't be writing very much anymore because my hands hurt and I don't feel like it much anymore, I feel

as though I'm merely surviving some days. The people on this site who write several times a week are wonderful to do so, you help so many. I do hope you all have wonderful holidays. My grand daughter is coming to see me for the holidays, she's still a baby, but realistically this maybe our last Christmas. I am going to try and make it a good time.

From: jackie <shadowme810@ verizon.net>To: Neurosarcoidosis@ yahoogroups. comSent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 4:58:35 PMSubject: Re: was wondering tracie

Thank you all. *smiles*

Jackie

was wondering tracie

I have been part of this group since 2001 and not once has my birthday reminder came up..

not that I want to be reminded of how old I am getting but my birthday is tomorrow and I was just wondering why my b-day reminder never comes up.

many blessings and hugs and a pain free day

Need a holiday helper this season? Get the AOL Holiday Toolbar for money saving offers and gift ideas.

[Guest guest]

I am basically in the same condition as Sissy. However I have to remind my self that when SS was incorporated it was only meant to be a supplement. It was not for us to live on solely. I know from personal experience that unless we save and invest right in our younger years we are going to hit troubled times when we have to depend on SS. It is so hard to live a normal happy life when you have to watch every cent you spend, and a lot of the time it just doesn't cut it. I know that if it wasn't for my sig. other (who I was once married to) I would be so much worse off. I pray to God for this man. I also pray for all of you out there. I really appreciate this group. You have helped me in so many ways just by reading the posts. Thank you all.

With much love and AWE.

Jackie

was wondering tracie

I have been part of this group since 2001 and not once has my birthday reminder came up..

not that I want to be reminded of how old I am getting but my birthday is tomorrow and I was just wondering why my b-day reminder never comes up.

many blessings and hugs and a pain free day

Need a holiday helper this season? Get the AOL Holiday Toolbar for money saving offers and gift ideas.

[Guest guest]

Hey Sissy,

I know you are hurting.  That is when even when the hands and body

hurt so much that we have to reach out and share with each other. 

The sadness and depression in your post says so much. 

The process of going through SSDI is no fun-- and yeah, it sucks that

it is only about 25% of what you made while working.  However, it

does give you Medicare Part A (hospitalization) at no cost.  The Part

B monthly premium is $93.60--taken right off the top of your SSDI

check.  That part covers the medical portion of your medical needs

(doctor's appt, xrays, CT's etc) The Part D is prescription Drug

coverage and depending on what plan you choose, will determine the

cost and coverage.

One thing to keep in mind is that Medicare now has a " limited income "

category-- where if you make less than $15,600 yr   and have

resources less than $11,900 - single person *

or

Income less than $21,000 and resources less than $23,970 Married

living with a spouse and no other dependants*

* These amounts will go up in 2009

Resources include money in a chekcing or savings acct, stocks, and

bonds.  Resources don't include your home, car, burial polot, upt to

$1,500 for burial expenses (per person) furniture or other household

items. 

If you meet these guidelines your Medicare drug plan's monthly

premium may be subsidized.  You may pay a reduced premium or no

premium for a basic plan.  For an enhanced plan-- (it would cover

more kinds of meds) you must pay the extra coverage amt, but at least

part would be subsidized. 

Go get help paying the yearly deductible, and help with coinsurance

and copayments for drugs that are on the plans formulary.  You

generally pay all the costs from drugs that aren't on the formulary. 

It also waves the coverage gap. 

--If you qualify for " Extra Help " if you meet one of these

conditions: 

- You have full Medicaid (MediCal) coverage. 

- You get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B

premiums (belong to a Medicare Savings Program)  

--You get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. 

Income amts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii as those states are more

expensive for medical care. 

IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET BOTH SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND ssi-- THEY ARE

NOT THE SAME.

*This info is straight from the Medicare 2009 Benefit Plan Booklet. 

www.medicare.gov

Depending on your income, you may get partial help or what is

termed " Share of Cost. "   This generally applies to the

Medicare/Medicaid enrollees, that don't qualify for full assistance. 

I know in California, that most of the disabled and seniors on

minimal Social Security they automatically qualify for Medi/Medi.

I know it's an extreme hardship for all of us, and yes, the system is

not easy to navigate-- but the last couple of years, the advancements

we've made with sarcoidosis awarement has finally got us so that

systemic, neuro, or advanced pulmonary/cardiac sarcoidosis is

becoming easier to qualify. 

It is such a difficult decision to finally surrender and allow

ourselves to admit that we can no longer work-- that it is

discouraging to read about someone like yourself that has had to go

in for a liver transplant, is on immunosuppresive drugs to not

destroy the liver-- and to fight this battle is horrible.  But to

further damage your health and well being by trying to work is also

going to wreck havoc on your body.  It is a fine line-- and an

emotional one.

My heart goes out to Sissy, and I do hope that you will lean on us

for support, and not make rash decisions -- there are answers and

assistance, and we are all learning where to turn for help.

With compassion,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

 

________________________________

To: Neurosarcoidosis

Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 4:59:21 PM

Subject: Re: was wondering tracie

I want to apologize for not writing and answering the many wonderful

emails I've received. I don't feel very well these days and I only

have enough energy to complete a daily routine and get rest to start

the next day. I hurt so bad at the end of the day, and at the

beginning:( Someone asked about social security in one of the emails

and I want to tell them that if you're a regular working class person

like myself, you're about to go to the poorhouse quickly. I have no

savings, own no property, neither do I have a spouse to contribute. I

applied to social security in '94 and '95. It was a run around. In

1996 I almost died and had to have a liver transplant> The day after

the transplant relatives called social security, who were still

considering my application and I was approved. I didn't receive any

back pay. The checks were so meager that I could hardly believe that

this was what I've been paying into for all of 40 years, and I was a

middle class wage

earner. Oh! did I add that they will ask you to pay for your

medicare which is probably by now over 100.00 a month. I was ending

up with less than 700.00 a month. Over the years I received raises,

but only 11 to 15 dollars a year. I couldn't afford anything, so with

my transplant and an immunosupressed system I went out to find work.

I am a nurse and thought I could find a sit down job that wouldn't be

a problem. Wrong! I have been sick so many times since. They willl

give you a trial period to seek work, 9 months. I never worked nine

months in a row, I always got sick. Sometimes for more than a year I

would be out of work. I misunderstood the rules, once you work the

nine months, whether it's in a row or over the years, they will drop

you from disability, and bill you for any overages. I don't want to

sound cynical, but our government does not appear to want to offer

any real help to those of us who are struggling. I have a job now

now, I usually work

three days a week. Sometimes I miss an entire week. it's an agency

so they don't really bother when I'm out for a while. i have to count

every cent to live, but is still more than social security benefits.

I struggle to jusy get out of bed, then I go to my assignment, smile

and ask God to help thru each day. I go to a quiet corner and let the

pain and hurt flow, I cry and I take medications to help.I do know

that I'm on a dangerous path that will probably lead to an early

demise, but I have no other choice. If i'm going to live at all I

have to be able to afford medications and pay my household bills. I

have to eat healthy, and did I mention that because I got $1163 minus

$88.00 for medicare, I wasn't eligible for food stamps? For anyone

out there who is reading this, I really didn't plan on this being

such a long email, but I needed to talk, today I am in such pain all

over. My last lab results (liver functions) were not great and my

kidney functions

are down too, that I needed to talk. I can hardly walk now and have

lost 13 pounds in less than three months, no one knows why, none of

my doctors anyway. I have to take sleeping pills regularly because I

can't sleep due to side from the many medications I take. Life for me

is no longer fun, but it is a blessing to be alive. I do private duty

for developmentally disabled children. They are happy people, even

with thier lot in life and it constantly gives me something to smile

about, oh yeah, I'm on anti depressants too! Gotta go now, but don't

look for social security to help you live any quality or quantity of

life, they won't! They do not understand Sarcoidosis or how

devastating it is. Look for another way, a home business, internet,

etc.... I wish luck to all who are living on social security; you're

going to need it. I won't be writing very much anymore because my

hands hurt and I don't feel like it much anymore, I feel as though

I'm merely

surviving some days. The people on this site who write several times

a week are wonderful to do so, you help so many. I do hope you all

have wonderful holidays. My grand daughter is coming to see me for

the holidays, she's still a baby, but realistically this maybe our

last Christmas. I am going to try and make it a good time.

________________________________

From: jackie <shadowme810@ verizon.net>

To: Neurosarcoidosis@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 4:58:35 PM

Subject: Re: was wondering tracie

Thank you all.  *smiles*

Jackie

was wondering tracie

I have been part of this group since 2001 and not once has my

birthday reminder came up..

not that I want to be reminded of how old I am getting but my

birthday is tomorrow and I was just wondering why my b-day reminder

never comes up.

many blessings and hugs and a pain free day

________________________________

Need a holiday helper this season? Get the AOL Holiday Toolbar for

money saving offers and gift ideas.

--- End forwarded message ---