Cirrhosis and social security/insurance

My husband has Hepatitis C and cirrhosis. He is still working but will need to stop soon. His doc has told him he will need a transplant, as treatment with interferon/riba has failed twice. We do not qualify for medicaid. Should we apply for SS disability or go with the state's high risk pool insurance? I have heard that it takes 24 months for SS disability medicaid or medicare, whichever it is, to kick in. Does it even cover transplants?  Is there a pre existing conditions lockout time period? We have no insurance and make very little money--but not quite poor enough for regular medicaid. It kills me to think he will die because we have no insurance!! Please help!

Zenith

[cuteus]

you are correct in that Medicare or Medicaid related to SSDI will not kick in right away, in fact, he might not qualify for Medicaid even if on disability, unless it is SSI. If you go to
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm
you might get an idea on what to expect from SSA. Depending on your state, he might qualified for Medicaid even if higher income for regular MA, if he meets a disability review team criteria. NY is one of those states. When applying for MA, you have to specify that you want to apply under a disability. A regular application is completed but a set of medical papers are also included for your dr to fill out. All that is submitted to a medical review team, comprised of a dr and possibly a RN and a decission is made whether you qualify for MA under a dissability. You do not need SSDI for this. Other states might have a similar process. You might also check clinicaltrials.gov for possible transplantation studies, I think I saw one there recently.
good luck

[NYgirl]

It took me a very LONG time to get social security disability (I began in 1993 and it did not come through until early 95 I think).  I know it was at LEAST a year, maybe a bit longer. I had a dent in my brain and associated short term memory loss which is why I received it, honestly I don't think it had anything to do with my broken back.

it is very time consuming and takes a lot of work and doctor visits and paperhunting.

your husband needs to start getting help as soon as possible and if there is another chance at insurance go with that.  While you might say you are not entitled to monetary things from Social Services - the MEDICAL might be open to you.  I'd check that out asap as you are going to need something big time.

There are many of us in here with Hep (and some who have transplanted) and work is not always possible to do - but believe me they are going to make you work to prove it.

I wish you the best of luck.

[FlGuy]

good informative replies.

[can-do-man]

while i don't know your situation, but would it be possible for you to work where they have insurance while your waiting for medicare to kick in?

[can-do-man]

your husband has to be off work 5 months before he can apply for SSDI, Although if is doctors states he has less in a year to live and can show why, he can go on it immediately. With Cirrhosis and needing a transplant it will NOT be a long drawn out process. I know some one who had a transplant and was approved within 30 days after filing.

[can-do-man]

Morning to you, Half my day i was able to work from home. Only had to be out in the afternoon about 3 hrs. Hope all is well with you and your Mrs.

[dyce]

Mornin cando, How you doin today? Man you gotta be tough to take that shot on sunday and still work the next day! My 1st shot was friday, so I took a couple of personal days to try and get somewhat used to the meds. My work is cooperating and that in its self is a real help.

Zenith, Your hubby is in my prayers. Seems in this day its getting tougher all the time to get ssi or ssd. My wife applied and was turned down and she has some serious medical conditions. Just seems everthing revolves around the almighty dollar. I know people around here that get benefits for being on drugs and alcohol, don't make sense to me. Please let us know what happens.

Dyce

[can-do-man]

You also asked....... Does it even cover transplants? Is there a pre existing conditions lockout time period?
________________________________________________________________

Yes both cover transplants, and no there is not any pre existing conditions lockout period.

Best of luck to you both and if you have any more questions please ask us.

[zenith]

Is there any way you can get medicare sooner than 24 months on ssdi, if you are about to die and can prove it? Like, can-do-man-, you said your friend was approved in 30 days because of them being so ill--but what good is that if you still must wait 24 months for medicaid/care?

Kerry

[can-do-man]

Yes he got it in 30 days, but is was a little over 2 years before he ended up having his transplant. Medicade theres no waiting period. If i was you first talk with his doctor and have him work with you on how he words things. Then talk with a lawler and see where there might be some loopholes as for medicade goes. Best of luck to both of you. But no if your under 65 then its 2 years

[MICKEYD50]

My Dr advised me to apply for SSDI as soon as the day I left his office because of the waiting time of 5 mo.What matters is that you not work in that 5 mo. time.When you sign up they will sign you up for anything you might qualify for IE: medicaid, etc. I was approved for SSDI in the 5th mo and did not have to hire a lawyer. I carried a copy of all my medical records to SS to hopefully cut out some of the time they use to get these copies together. I also kept a copy in case they lost anything they needed . They are bad about loosing things. When you sign up ask them for a fax number and name incase they require addition info.
Good luck,
MD