Disability Benefits approved!?
- Posted:
- 12 Mar 2011 by christineATU
- Topics:
- pain, back pain, surgery, disability, medicaid
Details:
After months and months, I was finally approved for Disability Benefits. I was told by the lawyer to call the Medicaid office to tell them so they could recall their denial as it should be approved now because Disability was approved. My next step for medicaid approval was to file an appeal with the Courts within the next 30 days. I live in Illinois and was denied twice already.
The Disability letter stated I needed a re-evaluation in one year. Is this normal? I thought a permanent disability would mean permanent benefits. How often do people with disabilities need re-evaluations?
Thank you for all your support my friends! You have carried me through the toughest time of my life. It looks like I can finally get my surgery and hopefully live in less pain. Is this maybe the reason for the re-evaluation so soon after approval? Also, if/when Medicaid is approved, I was told they pay the past medical bills. Do they also reimburse for prescriptions that were paid out of pocket? Thanks for any tips, advice, comments, etc.
One more thing, thank you so much for the prayers for my dear friend who had brain surgery. He is recuperating well, getting stronger each day. Your support and prayers were much appreciated and helped so much!!
12 Mar 2011
CONGRADULATIONS!!! I've popped open my metaphorical bottle of chanpagne, and am toasting the good fortune you made happen.
Can't help you with your Medicaid problem - every state is different, BUT, it does come from the Feds in part so somethings will be similar. I suggest you call Medicare and ask them - they might not have the answers you need, but they often have the inside phone number.
I hope SS is sending you PartD coverage info... if not call them.
I wish I could be more helpful.
12 Mar 2011
Hey Christine,
YAYYYYYY!!! Thanks for sharing your good news. Unfortaunately you will go through re evaluation every year if that is what they said. My evaluation occurs every 3 years. It is a pain, more forms to fill out by you and the doctor, but it is a necessary evil.
Your medicaid will probably be retroactive back to the date that the Medicare/ SSI is retroactive to. They may in fact pay past medical bills and pharmacy. It is hard for me to say as there are different medicaid programs so I don't know which one you are quailifying for. I am in a different state, also. My medicaid only covers me as far as reducing the cost of my pharmacy not medical bills for example. I have to carry supplemental insurance through medicare advantage plan in order to cover my medical bills such as doctors.
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You can avoid the yearly evaluation by signing up for the "ticket to work" but then you have to actively seek employment which you probably don't want to do.
Write all your questions down and then you can get them answered by the case worker. It is alot to get organized but will be worth when you do.
Once again, congratulations on the disability and glad to hear your friend is recovering well.
God bless you,
Laurie
12 Mar 2011
Congratulations my dear friend!!! Unfortunately you do need recertification usually every five years with Social Security but the first one is usually one year then goes to five years. I am sooooo happy for you, you deserve this. Medicaid should stop the denial now but I can't guarantee it. Usually they do but I live on the other side of the map so I am not sure how your state works. Hang in there the fight is almost over my friend and you will have won and enjoy it like I said you deserve it. Take care I will e-mail you soon, much love, marjorie zych
12 Mar 2011
congrats on getting it - i had not worked for two years then i got disability and had to wait another year may have been two - cant remember - but that was because they disabled like i am 65 - i am 45 so i get medicare not medicaid
they should be able to tell you what to do if you talk to them - that's what i had to do - but i did have to wait a year at least - i hope Medicaid is what you have it is faster - good luck
Eric
12 Mar 2011
I am so thankful for you to finally be approved, I live in the state of Indiana and you know I deal with Medicaid here, from birth when I had Polio all the way through all these other major illnesses It has been one of the most difficlt things that I have ever had to go through, My father had Insurance on me when he worked at the factory here in Indiana it was the Container Croporation of America, they made boxes for TV's, Drug companies, refridgerators, freezers, just to name a few, by the time I was in my teen's they reused to carry me any longer on Dad's insurance at work, I was left unable to work and my Dad was the type of man that took crae of his family, he paid bills he was never reimbursed for, some drug bills that came out of his pocket were taken care of but by in large that was not the story, I pray that this is not one of the things that happens to you, I have been told many times over that Indiana is one of the tougher states when it comes to getting assistance, they no longer have welfare offices located in Anderson, they are towards Indianapolis and also another place, with catching this fall in February and all the complications from that the system would not pay for the Lidoderm patches and I was forced to pay $275/cash monthly for a box of them, At least it looks like from what they have found and what they are going to be doing I may not require the patches
when you draw $675/month and use that to assist on the place you live taking an extra 275 out of that is overwhelming. I have faith that they will come through for you and that you will get the help that you need and deserve, I of course haven't been able to work enough to pay into the system and I will not be elgibile for Medicare, it's just one of those things you know it could be a lot worse, I feel that the good Lord will help me be able to get through this, I basically wanted to touch base with and let you know how very thrilled that I am that you are finally going to get help, it's a rough situation to need things paid for and every time you turn around it's is a fight in order t get it done!! I wish you only the very best, Billy

Anonymous
12 Mar 2011
YEEHA COWGIRL!!!
I must reiterate Tonka's statement, I don't know jack about this stuff, but am celebrating with a virtual glass of champagne dearest Chris!!!
Good luck with the rest of the fight gurl !! You are one strong woman, and I am ever so fortunate to have had the pleasure of becoming friends with you!
Love ya lots,
Lara (lemon tart!!! )

Anonymous
12 Mar 2011
This is new to me too, I have been turned down on my disability, have refiled. They said it could take up to 18mo to go to court. I don't see how some people get turned down and others not in near a bad health get it. But Congrats!!!
13 Mar 2011
Great news Christine - your long wait is over! I'm very glad for you. I know my Social Security Disability had a recheck after 1 year, then 3 years and is now supposed to be every 5 - 7 years. It's easy to do - just fill out forms showing every practitioner or hospital you've been to see in the previous 2 years. You don't have to see anyone in person, and the approval came back in about six weeks. Easy. Sorry I don't know answers to your other questions, but I am very happy to hear your news! Hopefully things will be getting better for you!
13 Mar 2011
i am so happy for you!!thank God you were approved !!! i don't know about having to be re-evaluated in a year .i have been on disability since 2000 and haven't had to do it ! i was sent some papers once and filled them out ,but i got a letter saying i didn't have to fill them out !my sister did have to fill out papers telling how she was still disabled.so i believe it goes from case to case!
i know here medicaid will go back 3 months and pay your medicial bills !again it's a state thing and they all are different!good luck and God bless!

Anonymous
13 Mar 2011
Congrats! I also live in Illinois, & am on disability. I've been on it since 1990, & have been reviewed 2 times. Not since I turned 60 tho'. It all depends on your condition, your age, & the severity of your condition. Do they think you may at some time be able to return to work & so on. I didn't have my first review until 10 years after I was approved. They had almost like the orginal app., a 20 page questionaire to fill out & send in. I was nervous about it, but did not get any type of reply for some time, & then a letter saying the did not expect improvement in my conditons. By the way, I was the very first person ever to receive Disability for Fibromyalgia! It was just one of many conditions I do suffer thru daily, but guess my case opened the way for many others to follow. SSI with the State will depend on your income including husband if you have one, expenses, & so on.
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You should qualify for a small check, to supplement your Disability if it isn't at the bare minimun of about $662. a month. The State will also pay your Medicare premium if you qualify for the SSI benefits. As you know Gov. Quinn is cutting a lot of Ill. benefit programs, but check with your local Public Aid Department about your benefits, & be sure to take your award letter, & all your bills with you. It was a battle well won, congrats again & good luck to you.
13 Mar 2011
Hi Christine,
Congratulations on disability! It's always a relief when you have been approved Happy tho hear that your friend is doing better after surgery. You both have been in my prayers. Take Care, smiley happy Lynne
13 Mar 2011
WHAT GOOD NEWS!!! I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR YOU CHRIS.
I know how you felt about that and I know it is a big relief. Am glad to hear about your friend also. You must feel like the weight is lifted and you can breathe a little. Now concentrate on yourself. I can't answer any of your questions because I was so dumb I never thought I could have disability so suffered in pain for 3 years but worked any way and that is a peril of owning a business I guess. I do think you are right about the reevaluation though. They must think you could have a miraculous recovery and hopefully some do. I will write you a note I have a dog question for you.
14 Mar 2011
Congratulations! Chris, you have my support, take care be well & safe!
14 Mar 2011
What a soldier you have been to stick with this so long! There is no one who deserves this more than you, I know how much suffering you have been through. I TRIED to send you an e-mail last night and my computer is acting very selfish. You know how long it took me to compose it, and you know the "poof" when you look up at the monitor only to see about five sentences! Anyhow, my hopes for you are great... because I love you. Now, until I can send you a proper e-mail, please relax... the hardest part should be over and as always my Prayer and hopes are with you and your family. If the computer keeps playing, I will uae the old US postal service. You get smoke signals? It will be like a box of "Cracker Jacks". There is always a surprise inside! Fall Queen
14 Mar 2011
Chris - I have been on SSDI since about 2000 or so (I was drrunk that decade), and even though they told me I would be reviewed in three years, I have yet to be reveiwed. About four years ago, in a period of tumult, and meds not working at all, a reviewer finally caught up with me, and all I did was give her the names of all the hospitals and doctors I'd seen in the prior three years, and I guess she checked it out and, that was it.
What I am trying to say in ...
1. I don't tthink you will have a bit of trouble if they review you, coz you are truely impaired.
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2. If you sign up for the "Ticket to Work" program, if you want to learn a new skill, or go back to school, or need help finding a job, when you sign up for TTW it will hold all medical reviews at bay. You can even go back to college, to finish a degree, or to get another one - don't let them tell you different. Most TTW programs will try to steer you to the easiest job immediately available, no matter how inppropriate for you,coz the TTW agencies make a bunch of money for each allotment of time that you work.
For instance, I went and assigned my TTW to my local DOR, and the first time I saw my counselor, she immediately, off the bat, suggested "how about a job as a security guard in a parking lot" - she totally took no consideration of my Phys. impairment, nor me as a person with my educational and vocational history. Point being - all they want to do is funnel you into the easiest job slot, and if you don't want to be a Secy Guard in a parking lot - know there are a lot of options with the TTW.
But back to Chris' situation - you can get youu TTW, and set a goal with whatever program you choose... and for instance ... you could take an online class or two, or if your able at a bricks and mortar school, and it willl toll any review of your case.
I don't even know if you care about this... it came up somewhere in the answers... but this is my understanding on the TTW.
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Oh... I made an assumption - I was speaking of Soc Security Disability.
Yes, SS Disability, that's what they approved! :-) It's a small monthly income but not sure what else they cover if medicaid is paying the past and future medical, at least until medicare would apply. It's a cluster ***headache. But lots of calls to make, for sure!
Thanks Tonka, hope you're hanging in there.
chris
Chirs - if you are getting SSDI, you get Medicare automatically. They go hand-in-hand, and theeyusually pay a greater portion of any particular fee, greaterr then Medicaid.
YAY for you!!!
I agree about calling Medicare. People get Medicare and Medicaid mixed up a lot. I believe, am not totally sure, but think that your Medicare is first and then Medicaid second for a portion of time maybe two or three years. Not sure, you should check out how long the Medicaid is going to be there for you and also talk to some local insurance agents that sell supplemental benefits to cover some items that you may need that are not covered, prescriptions etc. I know that most of my friends schedule Dr.'s appts. and or any surgery's close to the beginning of the month due to some spend down thing that I clearly do not understand. If you apart of AARP, my parents used them to purchase supplemental insurance through Mutual of Ohmaha. Congratulations on finally getting your SS benefits. Please pray for me to get mine supposedly according to my lawyer sometime this August. Let me know what you get figured out, It would be great for you to share your experience. Good Luck!
ChristineATU
I resound what has been said Congradulations!! I think I saw where you asked the question if it is normal to have re-evaluation in a year even though I am sure this varies but from what I know it is not uncommon, I am so happy for you!!
Finally! It takes forever doesn't it? Mine took over (are you ready?) 5 years!! And I had a lawyer, if you want to call him that. The SS office lost my claim for over 2.5 years. I finally had to contact the congressman where I live, got his reps and a young rep named mark went and sat up there, literally sat there, until they found it. Why didn't my lawyer do that? Very, very good question. Once they found my file - I'll bet it was les than 3 months before i was approved. No, i don't recall having to go back, but like Tonka said - call and find out. Hey Tonka, pour me a glass of that champange too!
Good luck & congrats
Lola
You have to be on ssdi for 2 years before you get medicare. I know as I have it.