Question
John--
My father turned 65 in November 2009. We went to the SS office and applied for SS benefits for him in Septemeber 2009. I inquired on low income help for premiums/deductibles etc. We applied at the SS office for part D and were told Part A & B (i.e.--QMB) was done over the phone and he was given a 1-800 to call and apply for QMB. It has been 4 months and no response. He has tried calling the same 1-800 to get a response and no one will give him the status.
Do you have a number to call to inquire and expedite QMB applications?
Also, in September 2009, both my mother and father applied for Medicaid (app 1171) at the local DHS office. No resposne has been received for either. Again, they have tried calling--no one responds. What are our options?
Thanks
Answer
Hi Kelli
There is some confusion in your question.
Medicaid: Each State has somewhat different regulations. In Mi the application has to be possessed within 45 days' So you should contact the DHS office and request a hearing. You might go to the DHS site and see if the staff at the local offices have their name and e-mail address listed. If so, send an e-mail to the caseworker, the supervisor at the local office and also the State DHS. This will establish a paper trail, and they usually resound quickly.
QMB:October to December is when most of the changes in senior insurance programs are being mad, and the administration of all the changes clog the system. Getting Parts A,B and D of Medicare have nothing to do with QMB. That is a separate program form what is called the Medicare Savings Program. The number you probably called on QMB probably would not know the status once the application.
If the premium for Part B is being taken out, the QMB is not in effect. Either is in the mill, or application was not processed. If the Part B premium is being taken out of his Social Security check, he most likely has QMB.
Call the Coordination of Benefits#COB# at 1-800-999-1118 and see what their records say. That is where the master computer is.
Hope this helps.
John
