Re: SS Medicare

[Guest guest]

Marleen - Whenever your Medicare benefits kick in (2 years after Disability

starts), SS

begins deducting the $46.00 (or something like that) from everyone. I believe

this covers

the Medicare Part B coverage. It may cover Part A too; I can't remember.

There is a rather large booklet which they will send you, which outlines

everything covered,

and not covered, by Parts A and B. I recommend calling the 800 number in

Baltimore. They

are usually very nice, and able to answer general questions regarding whether

your private

insurance or Medicare should or can be your primary coverage, and what that

monthly

deduction is for.

Also, if you are eligable for state Medicaid benefits in your state, sometimes

they will pay

that monthly Medicare payment for you. They've done that for me here in

Illinois.

Unfortunately, now I'm working part-time, and my state Medicaid coverage (which

pays for my

medications) is ending. I still haven't been able to get a straight answer from

the state

as to whether my Medicare payments will still be made by them. BTW, Medicare

(federal)

does not cover *any* prescriptions, except, if I remember correctly, some very

specific ones

like cancer treatments. State Medicaid programs are where to turn to for that

coverage. Or

private supplemental insurance.

Overall, I've found that dealing with the SS Admin. is much nicer than state

" welfare "

agencies. (ugh.) Especially if you talk straight to Baltimore. They should

send you that

booklet too.

good luck with the bureaucracy

LymeFightr@... wrote:

>

> From: LymeFightr@...

>

> Hi everyone,

> Have another question. Just got a letter from Social Security saying

they

> are going to

> start deducting an amount to cover Medicare payments from my disability check.

> I currently have private health care at $400 a month, although it started at

> around $250 per month. It is getting impossible to keep up. I'm sure their

> goal is to get me quit. Once we had to cash in our life insurance to get

> caught up on the health insurance. With both Jerry & I sick with Lyme, we

> can't be with coverage.

> The Medicare doesn't become available until December but .... Has

anyone

> ever used

> that for medical & hospitalization. How are you treated? Is it worth having?

> Thanks,

> Marleen

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

<< Overall, I've found that dealing with the SS Admin. is much nicer than

state " welfare "

agencies. (ugh.) Especially if you talk straight to Baltimore. They should

send you that

booklet too. >>

Thank you for answering my post . I didn't get an information pack

yet ... and even when

I do I'll have trouble comprehending it. I must say that the SS people that I

dealt with were much nicer then I expected. One woman was so nice I actually

sent a letter to her supervisor. It was really nice to deal with her over the

phone. It's still a shame that I would " feel " surprised to be treated nicely

though huh? <g>

Marleen