My husband has been on disability long enough to qualify for medicare.
He's been on medicaid the past few years so he can meet his doctor monthly and refill a bunch of prescriptions he needs.
From what I understand, we have no choice but for him to take on medicare - if we don't, they'll deduct 10% of what would be hsi monthly deductible as a penalty and this will jump an additional 10% each year even if he decides to pick up medicaid, then he'd still have to pay his deductible plus the penalties every month?? This is how he understood it and it makes absolutely no sense. Why continue paying penalties when he decides to get the insurance, and why pay a penalty for NOT getting it?
Here is the deal - we have a spend down we had to meet each month for medicaid. It was income based, his disability check is our sole income for a family of 6. the spend down each month to activate his medicaid was doable, but just barely.
Now I'm not sure how medicare works - now that he's automatically enrolled in medicaire, he's no longer approved for medicaid. The deductible is higher, there is a $35 copay for prescriptions plus two medications will range between $85-$1000 each (this is separate quotes he got when calling to ask questions about medicare).
With the higher deductible, plus the cost of prescriptions and copays for prescriptions, its totally hopeless. This starts this month, and there is no time to waste - he'll run out of medication this month if we have to pay for this because we simply cannot pay it.
His doctor had requested I stay home with him full time so I can care for him and take on full responsibility around the home - so me working out of the home hasn't been an option for quite some time. Him working is not an option.
Are there programs available to help people who are on medicare and disability be able to afford the insurance they need? Without my husband on his medication, the results are disastrous.
Is it true that once your on disability for so many years, you have no choice but to go on medicare? Can he stay on medicaid? Will he really have to pay penalties each month if he refuses medicare? We're in MI if that helps anyone.
I don't really know who to call at this point, it seems each time he's called medicare he's gotten conflicting answers, and his caseworker for his medicaid is nearly impossible to get a hold of. The stress of this whole situation is truly wearing on him - well the both of us. Where can I find answers? Is there help available? What can I do?
He's been on medicaid the past few years so he can meet his doctor monthly and refill a bunch of prescriptions he needs.
From what I understand, we have no choice but for him to take on medicare - if we don't, they'll deduct 10% of what would be hsi monthly deductible as a penalty and this will jump an additional 10% each year even if he decides to pick up medicaid, then he'd still have to pay his deductible plus the penalties every month?? This is how he understood it and it makes absolutely no sense. Why continue paying penalties when he decides to get the insurance, and why pay a penalty for NOT getting it?
Here is the deal - we have a spend down we had to meet each month for medicaid. It was income based, his disability check is our sole income for a family of 6. the spend down each month to activate his medicaid was doable, but just barely.
Now I'm not sure how medicare works - now that he's automatically enrolled in medicaire, he's no longer approved for medicaid. The deductible is higher, there is a $35 copay for prescriptions plus two medications will range between $85-$1000 each (this is separate quotes he got when calling to ask questions about medicare).
With the higher deductible, plus the cost of prescriptions and copays for prescriptions, its totally hopeless. This starts this month, and there is no time to waste - he'll run out of medication this month if we have to pay for this because we simply cannot pay it.
His doctor had requested I stay home with him full time so I can care for him and take on full responsibility around the home - so me working out of the home hasn't been an option for quite some time. Him working is not an option.
Are there programs available to help people who are on medicare and disability be able to afford the insurance they need? Without my husband on his medication, the results are disastrous.
Is it true that once your on disability for so many years, you have no choice but to go on medicare? Can he stay on medicaid? Will he really have to pay penalties each month if he refuses medicare? We're in MI if that helps anyone.
I don't really know who to call at this point, it seems each time he's called medicare he's gotten conflicting answers, and his caseworker for his medicaid is nearly impossible to get a hold of. The stress of this whole situation is truly wearing on him - well the both of us. Where can I find answers? Is there help available? What can I do?
