Toni:
I have a question regarding Medicare versus Medicaid. It is a question that I have not been able to get an answer to from any resource.
I am 58 years old and in April of 2010, I was diagnosed with stage IIIA metastatic breast cancer. I was unemployed at the time. The Rose in Houston qualified me under Medicaid (Breast/Ovarian cancer program through the State of Texas). I was referred to MD Anderson for treatment. I have undergone chemotherapy and mastectomy. I will be starting radiation next week.
My question: If I am put on medical disability through Social Security and I am placed on Medicare, what will happen with my Medicaid benefits? At present, I am not paying anything for my cancer treatments. I understand if I am placed on disability, I will automatically be placed on Medicare.
I have contacted Medicaid and Social Security and have not been able to get a straight answer from either office. Social Security has said I am eligible for disability (based on work credits) and the amount I can collect will be $1,535.00. Thank you for any advice you may have! Trish…Waller, TX
Hi there, Trish:
Many people think that qualifying for Social Security Disability can be the answer when you cannot work due to a serious illness like you have. To qualify for Medicaid, one must meet certain income requirements and if you make a dollar too much and I repeat $1 to much, then you can lose your Medicaid benefits.
You are just beginning your radiation treatments at MD Anderson and do not have to pay for anything because you have been blessed by qualifying with The Rose, which is a wonderful non-profit organization. I would not risk your Medicaid eligibility by applying for Social Security Disability.
Even though you have more income with Social Security Disability, it will probably be too much money and you could lose your Medicaid benefits and have to pay 100% for your cancer treatment because Medicaid will not be paying MD Anderson. And then your troubles will really begin!
Generally, when someone qualifies for Social Security Disability, it will take 24 months for you to begin qualifying for Medicare. Your Medicare will begin on the 25th month of your disability.
My advice is to wait and apply for Social Security Disability until after you have finished all of your treatments and are released with a clean bill of health. I would not want you to put the mental burden on yourself and your family because you are worrying about how to get your cancer treatment and most of all pay for the treatments.
If you are not receiving any more cancer treatments when you are 62, go and apply for early Social Security benefits, then you can receive as much if not more than if you had received Social Security Disability at a younger age.
I just do not want to see you lose your Medicaid benefits which are so hard to qualify for. Take your times and look at all of your options carefully.
** Please Read…Anyone who is having Breast Cancer or other women’s health problems and does not have health insurance, please contact The Rose at 713/668-3173 or visit their web site at www.TheRose.org or go by your local Houston Community Newspaper office and pick up a copy of the Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Edition . There is a great article about “The Rose”.
Join me for my next Medicare workshop on Monday, November 5th, 2012 at 6:00 PM at Conroe Regional Medical Center-Auditorium, Conroe, TX 77504. RSVP: 832/800-4674.
Toni King is advocate/consultant for those “Confused about Medicare.” Visit her website at www.tonisays.com. Got a Medicare questions send them to Toni at toni@tonisays.com or call 832/519-TONI (8664) because Toni is now on Fox 26 every Monday morning at 9:00 answering your questions.
