medicare

[ej0820]

hey all!

So I know there have been quite a few posts recently about medicare/SSDI and coverage or benefits. I've been on medicare since june and am also on the ticket to work program, which entitles me to have medicaid pay my medicare premiums.

I'm disabled and that's the only coverage I get. That seems so crappy! Medicare has made life so much more expensive! Does anyone else feel the same? Medicare is all that I have and all that I can have (too old for parents' insurance, can't work full-time w/SSDI, etc.). I need new glasses...not immediately, I mean, I can still see just fine to drive and everything, but my prescription is 2 years old and I've noticed that my vision has changed a bit since then. I especially notice it at night. After doing some research and digging, I've found that medicare does not cover eye exams. Medicare does not cover glasses. How is it that someone who's been determined disabled gets so little health coverage? I realize I'm lucky to have medicare cover what it does cover for me, as I'm sure there are others out there with much bigger insurance issues than this, but I was so relieved when I was approved for medicare. Now it seems like it's costing me more than what it's worth! I dread the day when I need something for my insulin pump after the warranty is up (in a year). God forbid if I needed a new pump-that would cost me over $1000! My doctor recently suggested I look into an IV pump bc of the treatment plan I'm going to be getting into. I told her there was no way I could do it. Even if medicare would approve the IV pump, I would still owe 20% of the cost of it...I can't even imagine how much money that would be!!! Another example-for home IVs, medicare will cover the homecare nurses and the meds themselves, but does not cover supplies (tubing, flushes, dressing change kits, etc.). What's the point of that?

Do you guys on medicare find the same problems? Are there other programs I should look into that I might not know about (I live in ohio)? When you get medicare for being 65 or older, you have supplemental insurance options...are there any for those who are disabled and can't afford the out of pocket health costs?

 

[ej0820]

hey all!

So I know there have been quite a few posts recently about medicare/SSDI and coverage or benefits. I've been on medicare since june and am also on the ticket to work program, which entitles me to have medicaid pay my medicare premiums.

I'm disabled and that's the only coverage I get. That seems so crappy! Medicare has made life so much more expensive! Does anyone else feel the same? Medicare is all that I have and all that I can have (too old for parents' insurance, can't work full-time w/SSDI, etc.). I need new glasses...not immediately, I mean, I can still see just fine to drive and everything, but my prescription is 2 years old and I've noticed that my vision has changed a bit since then. I especially notice it at night. After doing some research and digging, I've found that medicare does not cover eye exams. Medicare does not cover glasses. How is it that someone who's been determined disabled gets so little health coverage? I realize I'm lucky to have medicare cover what it does cover for me, as I'm sure there are others out there with much bigger insurance issues than this, but I was so relieved when I was approved for medicare. Now it seems like it's costing me more than what it's worth! I dread the day when I need something for my insulin pump after the warranty is up (in a year). God forbid if I needed a new pump-that would cost me over $1000! My doctor recently suggested I look into an IV pump bc of the treatment plan I'm going to be getting into. I told her there was no way I could do it. Even if medicare would approve the IV pump, I would still owe 20% of the cost of it...I can't even imagine how much money that would be!!! Another example-for home IVs, medicare will cover the homecare nurses and the meds themselves, but does not cover supplies (tubing, flushes, dressing change kits, etc.). What's the point of that?

Do you guys on medicare find the same problems? Are there other programs I should look into that I might not know about (I live in ohio)? When you get medicare for being 65 or older, you have supplemental insurance options...are there any for those who are disabled and can't afford the out of pocket health costs?

 

[ej0820]

hey all!
<br />
<br />So I know there have been quite a few posts recently about medicare/SSDI and coverage or benefits. I've been on medicare since june and am also on the ticket to work program, which entitles me to have medicaid pay my medicare premiums.
<br />
<br />I'm disabled and that's the only coverage I get. That seems so crappy! Medicare has made life so much more expensive! Does anyone else feel the same? Medicare is all that I have and all that I can have (too old for parents' insurance, can't work full-time w/SSDI, etc.). I need new glasses...not immediately, I mean, I can still see just fine to drive and everything, but my prescription is 2 years old and I've noticed that my vision has changed a bit since then. I especially notice it at night. After doing some research and digging, I've found that medicare does not cover eye exams. Medicare does not cover glasses. How is it that someone who's been determined disabled gets so little health coverage? I realize I'm lucky to have medicare cover what it does cover for me, as I'm sure there are others out there with much bigger insurance issues than this, but I was so relieved when I was approved for medicare. Now it seems like it's costing me more than what it's worth! I dread the day when I need something for my insulin pump after the warranty is up (in a year). God forbid if I needed a new pump-that would cost me over $1000! My doctor recently suggested I look into an IV pump bc of the treatment plan I'm going to be getting into. I told her there was no way I could do it. Even if medicare would approve the IV pump, I would still owe 20% of the cost of it...I can't even imagine how much money that would be!!! Another example-for home IVs, medicare will cover the homecare nurses and the meds themselves, but does not cover supplies (tubing, flushes, dressing change kits, etc.). What's the point of that?
<br />
<br />Do you guys on medicare find the same problems? Are there other programs I should look into that I might not know about (I live in ohio)? When you get medicare for being 65 or older, you have supplemental insurance options...are there any for those who are disabled and can't afford the out of pocket health costs?

 

[julie]

Erin, is it just you in your household? What is your income? I see you said medicaid is paying your medicare premiums. Each state is different with respect to medicaid, so does that mean that you also have the medicaid coverage, or just that they are paying your premiums?

 

[julie]

Erin, is it just you in your household? What is your income? I see you said medicaid is paying your medicare premiums. Each state is different with respect to medicaid, so does that mean that you also have the medicaid coverage, or just that they are paying your premiums?

 

[julie]

Erin, is it just you in your household? What is your income? I see you said medicaid is paying your medicare premiums. Each state is different with respect to medicaid, so does that mean that you also have the medicaid coverage, or just that they are paying your premiums?

 

[JennifersHope]

OMG I am getting sick to my stomach over Medicare.. I am not getting it until August of next year, but I recently qualified for Medicaid too, under the "working disabled program in SC"

I am able to make one thousand dollars a month as earned income.... and for SSDI my check has to be under 923 dollars, as the Grace of God would have it that is the exact amount I am making. so I qualify for medicaid as well

I am going to be getting Medicare as my Primary and Medicaid as my secondary. Can you tell me since you are now on the ticket to work program and you have medicaid, has things improved.

I am so hoping that between Medicare and Full Medicaid benefits I should be covered for most everything, am I fooling myself?

 

[JennifersHope]

OMG I am getting sick to my stomach over Medicare.. I am not getting it until August of next year, but I recently qualified for Medicaid too, under the "working disabled program in SC"

I am able to make one thousand dollars a month as earned income.... and for SSDI my check has to be under 923 dollars, as the Grace of God would have it that is the exact amount I am making. so I qualify for medicaid as well

I am going to be getting Medicare as my Primary and Medicaid as my secondary. Can you tell me since you are now on the ticket to work program and you have medicaid, has things improved.

I am so hoping that between Medicare and Full Medicaid benefits I should be covered for most everything, am I fooling myself?

 

[JennifersHope]

OMG I am getting sick to my stomach over Medicare.. I am not getting it until August of next year, but I recently qualified for Medicaid too, under the "working disabled program in SC"
<br />
<br />I am able to make one thousand dollars a month as earned income.... and for SSDI my check has to be under 923 dollars, as the Grace of God would have it that is the exact amount I am making. so I qualify for medicaid as well
<br />
<br />I am going to be getting Medicare as my Primary and Medicaid as my secondary. Can you tell me since you are now on the ticket to work program and you have medicaid, has things improved.
<br />
<br />I am so hoping that between Medicare and Full Medicaid benefits I should be covered for most everything, am I fooling myself?

 

[ej0820]

Jennifer, honestly, since being on the ticket to work program, I haven't noticed any difference. The ticket to work program is the only medicaid that I'm eligible for, which is the one that pays my medicare premiums. That's it.


Julie, like I just mentioned, the only medicaid I have is the one that pays my premiums. That's the only medicaid coverage I get. I think I also qualify for a medicaid spenddown, which from what I understand is, medicaid will pay for any medical bills that exceed the spenddown amount. My spenddown amount is almost $500 (per month). Therefore, I could rack up a bill of $499 in prescriptions, supplies, etc. every single month and would owe that out of pocket. I guess if I needed a new insulin pump, then the medicaid spenddown would kick in? I'm really confused about the spenddown program and it sounds like it leaves things still pretty expensive.

It is just me in the household. My income last year was around $10,000 (I think) because I've only ever worked part-time (still in school). I wasn't on SSDI until march or april of THIS year...don't get me started on how anxious I am about doing my taxes for 2010, lol.

 

[ej0820]

Jennifer, honestly, since being on the ticket to work program, I haven't noticed any difference. The ticket to work program is the only medicaid that I'm eligible for, which is the one that pays my medicare premiums. That's it.


Julie, like I just mentioned, the only medicaid I have is the one that pays my premiums. That's the only medicaid coverage I get. I think I also qualify for a medicaid spenddown, which from what I understand is, medicaid will pay for any medical bills that exceed the spenddown amount. My spenddown amount is almost $500 (per month). Therefore, I could rack up a bill of $499 in prescriptions, supplies, etc. every single month and would owe that out of pocket. I guess if I needed a new insulin pump, then the medicaid spenddown would kick in? I'm really confused about the spenddown program and it sounds like it leaves things still pretty expensive.

It is just me in the household. My income last year was around $10,000 (I think) because I've only ever worked part-time (still in school). I wasn't on SSDI until march or april of THIS year...don't get me started on how anxious I am about doing my taxes for 2010, lol.

 

[ej0820]

Jennifer, honestly, since being on the ticket to work program, I haven't noticed any difference. The ticket to work program is the only medicaid that I'm eligible for, which is the one that pays my medicare premiums. That's it.
<br />
<br />
<br />Julie, like I just mentioned, the only medicaid I have is the one that pays my premiums. That's the only medicaid coverage I get. I think I also qualify for a medicaid spenddown, which from what I understand is, medicaid will pay for any medical bills that exceed the spenddown amount. My spenddown amount is almost $500 (per month). Therefore, I could rack up a bill of $499 in prescriptions, supplies, etc. every single month and would owe that out of pocket. I guess if I needed a new insulin pump, then the medicaid spenddown would kick in? I'm really confused about the spenddown program and it sounds like it leaves things still pretty expensive.
<br />
<br />It is just me in the household. My income last year was around $10,000 (I think) because I've only ever worked part-time (still in school). I wasn't on SSDI until march or april of THIS year...don't get me started on how anxious I am about doing my taxes for 2010, lol.

 

[ej0820]

I also just read that medicare will only cover a one-time routine physical. So, ONE time in my life I can see my regular physician? Every time after that I have to pay full price. Medicare also doesn't cover dental.

How do you all on medicare get coverage for these things, if you do at all?

 

[ej0820]

I also just read that medicare will only cover a one-time routine physical. So, ONE time in my life I can see my regular physician? Every time after that I have to pay full price. Medicare also doesn't cover dental.

How do you all on medicare get coverage for these things, if you do at all?

 

[ej0820]

I also just read that medicare will only cover a one-time routine physical. So, ONE time in my life I can see my regular physician? Every time after that I have to pay full price. Medicare also doesn't cover dental.
<br />
<br />How do you all on medicare get coverage for these things, if you do at all?

 

[julie]

So is your only income from SSDI? Do you live by yourself or with someone else? That doesn't make any sense to me that you don't qualify for full medicaid.

also, you mentioned about your parents ins... have they checked their elgiblity booklet about covering you? Since you are on Disability benefits, you would be considered a disabled adult and on most insurance plan this would allow you to be covered. Just a thought

 

[julie]

So is your only income from SSDI? Do you live by yourself or with someone else? That doesn't make any sense to me that you don't qualify for full medicaid.

also, you mentioned about your parents ins... have they checked their elgiblity booklet about covering you? Since you are on Disability benefits, you would be considered a disabled adult and on most insurance plan this would allow you to be covered. Just a thought

 

[julie]

So is your only income from SSDI? Do you live by yourself or with someone else? That doesn't make any sense to me that you don't qualify for full medicaid.
<br />
<br />also, you mentioned about your parents ins... have they checked their elgiblity booklet about covering you? Since you are on Disability benefits, you would be considered a disabled adult and on most insurance plan this would allow you to be covered. Just a thought