Guest guest Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 some of the drug companies will help too but you have to have limited assets as far as i know Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Re: Medicare questionTo: Breathe-Support Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 1:05 PM EileenThe key date is the effective date of your Social Security. So the twoyears does run from the time they say you were legally disabled, which Iimagine is at least a few months ago. Now, meanwhile are you eligiblefor Cobra under your husband's insurance? I know its probably veryexpensive even if you are.Others here have been through the wait and intermediate period withoutinsurance and can point you toward some of the charity programs thehospitals have to help for that time.>> Hi All> I was approved for Soc Sec disability in Sept. Those of you who metme in Orlando may remember I was so scared I would not be approved. Anyway, I was told that I could not get Medicare until I am on SS disfor 2 years. My employer ins runs out at the end of this month. Myhusband has been unemployed since July so I cannot get on his ins. Anyway, all my "meaning well" friends and family keep telling me aboutpeople they know that got medicare right away w disability. As Iunderstand it, unless you have renal failure or Lou Gehrigs disease, thewait is 2 years. I cannot get medicaid because I have over $3,000 inassets. Since I learn more on this website than anywhere else, Ifigured I would ask the experts. Am I missing something about Medicare?>> Eileen, 58 IPF/UIP May 07> Boca Raton FL> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 eileen can you get cobra through your employer, you will have to pay for it, but you will be covered i forget how long you can continue to pay for cobra 12 months? 18 months? i think i had to do it once while between jobs while waiting for the new medical to kick in there is a site, don't remember the name, someone on line will probably post it caring something? Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Re: Medicare questionTo: Breathe-Support Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 10:11 PM You know Joyce I was pretty sure I had heard about it on here too but my aunts were so insistant. I know they mean well but no one believes me that there is a 2 year wait.Eileen> > > From: Eileen <nivlag1@... >> Subject: Medicare question> To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com> Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 12:46 PM> > > Â > > > > Hi All> I was approved for Soc Sec disability in Sept. Those of you who met me in Orlando may remember I was so scared I would not be approved. Anyway, I was told that I could not get Medicare until I am on SS dis for 2 years. My employer ins runs out at the end of this month. My husband has been unemployed since July so I cannot get on his ins. Anyway, all my "meaning well" friends and family keep telling me about people they know that got medicare right away w disability. As I understand it, unless you have renal failure or Lou Gehrigs disease, the wait is 2 years. I cannot get medicaid because I have over $3,000 in assets. Since I learn more on this website than anywhere else, I figured I would ask the experts. Am I missing something about Medicare?> > Eileen, 58 IPF/UIP May 07> Boca Raton FL> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 I agree with everyone that the two year waiting period for Medicare once you are approved for SSDI makes absolutely no sense. The waiting period was difficult for me to get through but with some luck, perseverance and determination I managed to get through. I managed to maintain my previous coverage through COBRA for several months. It finally got to a point when I could no longer afford it and I dropped it. I lived in NY at the time and was eligible for Medicaid. I had to document a certain dollar amount in unpaid medical bills which was easy to do and then I was fully covered. I moved to NC in late 2007 and expected to be able to get Medicaid in NC. That was not to be. For the first time I was facing nearly a year without a way to get medical coverage. A bit scary but I managed. I owned a concentrator that filled tanks (Chad Total O2), so I only needed tanks delivered if I was traveling (E cylanders ran me about $10.50 each when I needed them delivered) My medications I was able to obtain at no cost from the manufacturers through their various patient assitance programs. There were forms to fill out and calls to make but once I was approved my meds were delivered directly to me via FedEx at no charge. Now I was on very limited meds at the time, Nexium, Advair things like that. I was receiving my medical care at Duke University Medical Center. Duke has a generous financial hardship program which I applied for and was accepted. During that 11 month period I was able to see my pulmonologist, get my bloodwork done, echocardiogram, 6 minute walk and pft's at no cost to me. In November of 08 I became Medicare eligible and was tempted to have a party. LOL It's nice to be fully covered again. I purchased a supplement through Bankers Life and my prescription coverage through AARP and so far so good. The healthcare reform debate is really complex. While I agree that things need to change and reform needs to happen I'm really unsure of the best way to accomplish that. Beth Moderator Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 To: Breathe-Support Sent: Thu, January 14, 2010 10:35:16 AMSubject: Re: Medicare question PinkYou can actually continue Cobra until the Medicare kicks in. There isthe normal 18 months but then if you provide the information that youwere approved for disability effective within 60 days of going on Cobra,it can be extended until Medicare kicks in, a total of up to 11additional months.> >> >> > From: Eileen nivlag1@ >> > Subject: Medicare question> > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com> > Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 12:46 PM> >> >> > ÂÂ> >> >> >> > Hi All> > I was approved for Soc Sec disability in Sept. Those of you who metme in Orlando may remember I was so scared I would not be approved.Anyway, I was told that I could not get Medicare until I am on SS disfor 2 years. My employer ins runs out at the end of this month. Myhusband has been unemployed since July so I cannot get on his ins.Anyway, all my "meaning well" friends and family keep telling me aboutpeople they know that got medicare right away w disability. As Iunderstand it, unless you have renal failure or Lou Gehrigs disease, thewait is 2 years. I cannot get medicaid because I have over $3,000 inassets. Since I learn more on this website than anywhere else, I figuredI would ask the experts. Am I missing something about Medicare?> >> > Eileen, 58 IPF/UIP May 07> > Boca Raton FL> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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