Paying medical bills while on disability?

[Changing4Best]

@SheilaKathy you said “mid 60’s” If you’re not past 65 but getting close,...

So, if I understand you correctly, I can get one of these policies when I am 64 and one half years old? I heard that their premium goes up every year a bit. I also heard that they can deny a claim outside of your service area, and then Medicare won't pay its share either!! That happened to my father, when he went into a nursing home quite a few hours away from his home.

Anyway, it does sound like a good deal, except that I usually get shipped off to some hospital that is hours away from here or across state lines, because no hospital exists in this county that treats mental illness. There is one that will "hold" you until one of these others will take you. That is the best that we have offered to us here.

 

[Snowflakes]

You are guaranteed issue with no underwriting the day you turn 65 and 6 months thereafter. That is Federal Law. https://www.medicare.gov/supplement...gap/when-can-i-buy-medigap.html#collapse-2229

If you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of SSDI, then you come under State Law. To find out what State Agency does that in your State.... https://www.shiptacenter.org/

The way the plans pay are set by Federal Law, in other words, they are identical regardless of what company you chose. There are 3 different ways companies set their rates. You can see that here Link Removed

So, yes, like everything else, the rates will increase annually but so does the cost of healthcare. If one has a lot of doctor bills and is on Medicare, remember that Medicare does not have an annual maximum cap, so this type of insurance can save you financially.

If you are on original Medicare Part A and B, then your “service area” is the whole country (every State). You just have to make sure the doctor or facility accepts Medicare. If they accept Medicare and Medicare pays their 80%, then the Medigap policy pays regardless of State. What you most likely heard is sometimes people on Medicare will buy an “Advantage Plan” which essentially means they buy a Medicare Part C. Those plans have a “service area” Those plans are great and cheaper but only work well if you never leave home. Link Removed

I understand about the mental health hold hospitals. My town does the same, holds one in ER till they can find a bed elsewhere. In my case, my wife has had to be shipped off to out of area psychiatric facilities. As long as they take Medicare, we have not received any bills. The Medigap policy paid the Part A in-patient deductibles and also paid the Part B Copays from the individual doctors.

Medicare insurance is tough to understand in the beginning. The State that administers who can and who can’t do business in your State, usually the State’s Department of Insurance, will be your best source.

 

[Changing4Best]

I checked with a Medicare Specialist awhile back and she said that until I turn 65, my medigap policy would be something like $450.00 per MONTH! Ouch, I cannot afford that.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I checked and mine would have been 45 a month. If I were you, I would just call financial services at these places and ask for some financial help. I did, and I am on a special, free, insurance that covers what medicare does not offered by PeaceHealth. I don't think they are where you are, but hospitals are more helpful than they have been in the past.

 

[Mach123]

You are guaranteed issue with no underwriting the day you turn 65 and 6 months thereafter. That is F...

Thanks so much for your excellent, informative reply!

 

[Changing4Best]

I did that, actually, @DharmaGirl and one of them said they do not give financial aid to anyone who has insurance, period.

The 2nd one said that they only give it to those owing $1,000 or more, even if they do have insurance (so I worked out a payment plan with their loan agents for $25 a month for 34 months [ouch!]). Unfortunately I owe them less than $1,000. There is interest with the loan too!

The 3rd Hospital is in the process of going through the financial aid process with me. She did say she thinks I will qualify, according to what I have told her of my financial status. I was told by one Hospital that there is no set pattern that they all have to follow, that each makes their own rules for aid according to their own standards and some federal assistance in certain cases that qualify. I think it also depends upon what state you live in, because there is something called "Indigent Care" in Georgia, however there is no such thing in the state in which I reside. UGH!

 

[Changing4Best]

Thanks so much for your excellent, informative reply...

I don't qualify quite yet, too young, sigh....

 

[KwanYingirl]

@SheilaKathy i am in the same situations as you. I have been disabled since 2000. I am 63 now. Last year I had a no charge supplemental policy that paid some of what Medicare didn’t. But I had deductibles, copays and a $5,000 out of pocket minimum before it paid 100% of my unmet charges. And I had a severe reaction to latex and it acted like a heart attack. I ended up owing a boat load that I got sent to a collection agency. I’m going to pay them $75/month. This year I bought an upgrade plan that will cover everything but a small copay. Most of my medical costs are psych related.

I am self employed and I have to be careful not to go over the amount allowed by Social Security or I’ll lose my disability, like you said. So I got a letter the other day from my new supplemental insurance company that states that if you qualify, “Medicare could pay for 75% or more of your drug costs including monthly prescription drug premiums, annual deductibles, and co-Insurance. Additionally, those who qualify for these savings and don’t even know it. For more information about this extra help, contact your local Social Security Office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213”

Considering that you only work 3 hours a day, I’m sure you’d qualify. I know this info doesn’t help you pay what you owe up to now, but it may help with your future prescriptions.

Despite the facts that states vary about how they dole out Medicaid, that still doesn’t help you with your current debt. I have had years that I had large bills due to ER visits for chemical exposures, I have always worked it out with the hospitals billing office for as little as $25/month.

We all worry that congress will outlaw Medicare, but it doesn’t serve your higher need to worry about the future at the expense of the need for you to try to be calm so you can cope with Lyme disease. It really sucks your energy. I have a law office that pays my bills so I don’t get calls from those bills I owe. It is such a relief not to deal with phone sharks. I don’t know if medical expenses would be forgiven in a bankruptcy.

Are you in Subsidized housing? That would help lower your monthly bills. I’m on a couple of waiting lists. I was told it can take 3 years to get to the top of the list.

You are the best person to determine your work capacity. I only work 2 hours then go home and take a nap and then go back for 2 more hours. My doctors agree that I’m the one to make that decision. We can’t risk losing our SSDI. I hope I have offered you some useful support and good luck with the bill.

 

[Changing4Best]

I do get Extra Help, thankfully. I've done or am doing the best I can with the rest of it.

You are right about not worrying about the future, other than write to our senators and congresspeople, we really can't do much about that. And believe me, I have written them and written them over and over again!

 

[KwanYingirl]

The baby boomers are retired, I’m counting on them to vote female. Ha ha.