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Accessing Health Care In The Social Security Maze

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By ADON TAFT

Life to the Fullest

Published: May 13, 2008

QUESTION: My mother is completely disabled as the result of several illnesses. She receives Supplemental Security Income. Her insurance benefits are about to expire. She is not yet 65 but needs continual medical care because of diabetes, heart problems and some other health problems.
Is there an insurance alternative that can assist until she reaches the age where she is eligible for Medicare? Will Medicare cover regular visits to the doctor, lab work, etc.?

K.A.
Spring Hill

ANSWER: Your mother automatically qualifies for Medicaid since she receives SSI benefits. Medicaid provides more extensive coverage than Medicare does. When she does become eligible for Medicare, Part B of that program does cover most doctor visits and lab work.

QUESTION: A good friend of mine has had to stop work because of the effects of aggressive treatment for lung cancer after having recently been told that the diagnosis is terminal in perhaps six months. She filed for Social Security, which was approved, but was told she would have to wait the mandatory five months for her first payment and two years of Medicare coverage.
Are there not any allowances in the system for a person in this situation?

L.A.
Brooksville

ANSWER: Preventing fraud is the basis for the rules on disability payments and Medicare qualifications for those under age 65. But under some circumstances any rule can seem harsh.
However, your friend may qualify for Medicaid, a combination state and federal program to help provide medical care for the poor and disabled. If her assets and income are minimal, she likely would be entitled to medical care even if it requires confinement to a nursing facility.
QUESTION: I was on welfare for a year until I was 62 when I received Supplemental Security Income benefits and went on Medicaid. When I became 65, I was offered Medicare but turned it down because I could not afford it. I was told I was entitled to it, and they sent me a card anyway.
I need to go to the eye doctor and would like to find out just exactly what Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare cover. Can I get the address of Medicare to get literature on both subjects?

S.S.F.D.
Ridge Manor

ANSWER: There is no charge to you for Medicare Part A., which covers 80 percent of hospital costs and a few other things, if you qualify for Social Security. It is paid for out of federal taxes you paid when you were working.
Medicare Part B, which covers some doctor bills, some tests and some outpatient procedures, costs $96.40 a month. Since you are on SSI, you probably would get some help if you opt to take Part B.
You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to obtain a booklet or other information about that program. Check with your local office of Children and Families — 661 S. Broad St., Brooksville, phone 754-6704 — for information about Medicaid.

If you have questions about any issue connected with aging, except medical conditions, please write to Life to the Fullest, Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34613, or send e-mail to adontaft@yahoo.com. Please include your name and address.

Adon Taft is a resident of Brooksville.

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TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE

supplemental security income • supplemental security income benefits • ssi benefits • medicare coverage • preventing fraud • disability payments • work question • medicare part b • aggressive treatment • insurance benefits • heart problems • eye doctor • nursing facility • doctor visits • lung cancer • spring hill • medicaid • five months • medicare • health problems

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