ssd & medicaid/medicare

[Ufrustrated2]

i know, i should ask this on the ssi website but for i forget to do that i'll ask here.

if one is on SSD, they then can sign up for medicare or medicade? i thought i heard that somewhere

[fortywhat2]

Good morning...
After 2 years on SSDI will receive Medicare Part A (hospitial) free of charge and the option of picking up Medicare Part B (Medical) for a fee.  Medicaid runs different from state to state and is based on income.  I use to manage a physcians off and dealt with these insurances on a daily basis and I am currently approaching my 2 year anniversary of receiving SSID benefits and have just received all the information for myself.  As far as applying and receiving SSDI there are attorneys out there that only charge when your benefits are approved and take a % out of back SSDI with a cap of the amount the goverment will allow them to charge... google for your area.  I was approved as soon as they received my paperwork and a 7 page letter from my neurologist explaining how my PPMS caused me to become disabeled.  Good luck!

[Lulu54]

Ufrustrated2 has a great sense of humor.......  

I just keep hoping I never have to go through the SSD /SSI process - everything I hear and read makes it sound like a demoralizing and exhausting process.

[Willowwoman777]

I am slightly confused because I saw you were in Iceland. I checked because I know medicaid rules tend to vary from state to state as to what a person's medicare spend down is. So, I guess I'm trying to figure out how you are in Iceland and getting SSD?

[HVAC]

SSD no 2 year wait. SSI a wait because Congress did not want "entitlements"  to be that easy.

Actually I was on the ground floor of Tricare the health care for Military Families which was contracted out to private insurance companies to run to replace CHAMPUS. I sat in my cubicle and got cussed out by Military personel and there spouses all day long. I really did not blame them.

Alex

[Ufrustrated2]

>>When I worked for an insurance company difficulty was built into every step to get the person to give up and pay the medical bill themselves. It is the same principle.

dare i say the VA took a page from that playbook?

[Ufrustrated2]

my SSD approval went quick but the retro is now in appeal. they seem to think my MS and its problems began quite recent. very grateful to get the first approval though.

i'll be seeing that law judge too with more supportive med docs.

yes, i guess that is why your medicaid started so soon -- i think

[Ufrustrated2]

ok, so i'm on SSD and then will have to wait 2yrs. i didn't remember that.

>>Whatever you do do not apply for SSI over the internet. They have designed it so you can't go back and change anything and you time out of the process before you finish applying.

i saw that first hand myself.

can one be on SSD & SSI?

[Sumanadevii]

There is a twelve month cap on SSDI back payments.  It doesn't matter how long the process takes.

Quote

"Once I am approved for SSDI, are the payments retroactive to the onset of my disability?
Yes, you can receive up to one year retroactive benefits on SSDI if SSA decides your disability started before you even filed. Keep in mind this is only after taking into account the five-month waiting period for benefits"

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/government-affairs-and-advocacy/government-programs/social-security-disability/ssdi-patient-faqs/index.aspx#faq_10

[RedFlame]

Yes, that is absolutely right Alex.  We studied that in school--it's called 'response-cost'.  It's a completely intentional tactic used to keep people from accessing benefits to save the government money.  

Having the help of an attorney will make it easier.  I had an attorney from legal aide so they prepared everything and I didn't have to split the first check.  They worked really hard for me.

You will get it but it will take time.

Red

[HVAC]

The process is insane. The federal government contracts the SSI and SSD to private companies State by State to handle application process. They are paid very little and have a huge volume so applications are not looked at very closely on the first go round. When you have judges and lawyers you have a better chance. It is a crap shoot. Most people will be accepted in the end. When I worked for an insurance company difficulty was built into every step to get the person to give up and pay the medical bill themselves. It is the same principle.

Alex

[RedFlame]

My process took about 5 months from start to finish.  But everyone's experience is different.  If you are initially denied and later approved, you will receive back payments and benefits dating from the first application.  After you have been on SSD for 2 years you will get the Medicare.  

Red

[drsdonthelp]

When I went to the hearing in front of the administrative law judge, it took two months to get my notice. I would call the Social Security office and find out what might have happened. My whole process took two years. My first attempt was the application , which was denied, and from what I have been told most, (not all) are denied at the initial request.

Second attempt is the predetermination when the lawyer (or yourself) submit more information and doctors notes. Sometimes this does the trick but other times you may get denied again.

The third step is going in front of the ALJ (judge) . At this step , and with all of your documentation, You will at most get a favorable decision. In my case, he didn't give his decision at the hearing but he did through a letter with stated facts two months later.

As far as the medicare,,, I was able to start getting that once I was approved probably because I already went through the two years of waiting.

Hope this helps, I am only going on my personal experience.
Pam

[daisy.girl]

I didn't know that.....I applied over the internet just about three years ago, and I am still appealing and waiting. My initial claim is at the appeals council, and my newest claim (one year old now) is just waiting to see what happens with my initial claim. This June will be two years that I went before the administrative law judge!

[HVAC]

SSI you get healthcare quicker with SSD the income based there is a manditory 2 year wait after you are approved , not from the time of your disability.

Whatever you do do not apply for SSI over the internet. They have designed it so you can't go back and change anything and you time out of the process before you finish applying. I lawyer working for SSI said it is one of the traps.

Alex

[Sumanadevii]

You are automatically given medicare after two years on SSD.  I am not sure about medicade.