Comments on: Senior Healthcare Options: Navigating The Murky Mess That Is The US Healthcare System

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:00:05 +0000

One more thing: If he is in End Stage Renal Failure, when he gets Social Security, there is no waiting period for Medicare, as opposed to waiting two years otherwise.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:28:15 +0000

I’m on disability and lived for a brief time with my parents before Social Security kicked in. I was declared my own household for food stamps, which wasn’t much, but every little bit helps. If he has a private phone at your residence, he may qualify for Lifeline, which will decrease his phone bill.

Check out http://www.benefitscheckup.org , which is an assessment tool that will guide you to resources, including prescription assistance programs, based on information you provide. It’s a confidential tool offered by the National council on aging.

More stuff is on my blog, but I haven’t worked on it much, so info is limited. Gotta get back to it. Good luck.

Kimberly’s last blog post..Energy Rate Assistance; other things

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:18:19 +0000

Medicaid applications would consider the total income/assets of a married couple, but not other relatives.

The biggest issue is look-back on asset transfers - now a full 5 years.

Medicare becomes available 24 months after one qualifies Social Security disability - sooner in some cases - have you applied for that?

see the Medicare section here: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html

By: BK

BK — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:13:18 +0000

I’ve been here.. and I would be curious to hear what you get back from MHIP and Senior Health Insurance Assistance.. My mother didn’t have any pre-existing conditions which was very fortunate for me. When forced into early retirement and she couldn’t find a job she decided to retire after talking with me and help me take care of my children. What I would have paid in daycare monthly I put towards her medical insurance and monthly living expenses. Her insurance costs me just about 1K every 3 months. I went through my SF agent because I trusted her after doing all of my research and she was very honest about EVERYTHING to me. I brought in the info I had received from others and we went through it together and she even told me one of the plans was actually better than what she could offer BUT after further research there was a clause in there I didn’t like so I decided to go with SF. I pay it quarterly and it includes medical, vision and prescription. Dental was overly expensive to add and a lot of the dentists in my area offer “cheaper” rates to seniors. She will qualify for her medicare benefits in a year so that will be a huge help. I was also able to enroll her in a few county programs in which she gets a lot of her screenings free. I’ll check but I think they are only for women but if not, I’ll forward that info to you since I believe we live in the same county.

Good luck Ginger.. I know its trying but your husband is very lucky to have you by his side during this time.

BK’s last blog post..A Day of Service