Question
Hello,
I'm a 63 yr old woman who is disabled and on SSI. I have medicaid and am unsure when to apply for medicare. Also I don't understand whether or not I will still have medicaid and medicare. I really don't know much at all about medicare, however of course I'm concerned about my ongoing health care. Is there any advice you can give me to be able to comprehend what will happen when I get medicare. I live in Florida.
Answer
Hi Barbara
Have someone go to the local Social Security(SS) office and get a copy of MEDICARE AND YOU 2010.
In the center of the back cover is the phone number of the nearest SHIP office to your location, Give them a call and request to speak with a counselor whenever you have a Medicare question.
You apply for Medicare about two months before you are eligible. If you are already receiving SS, your Medicare card will be sent to you about two months before you are eligible. Otherwise you are eligible starting the month you turn 65. If you are receiving SS disability, you started receiving your check 4 months later. 24 months after the checks started you are eligible for Medicare.
When you get Medicare, you will be a dual eligible. Medicare and Medicare. Get with that SHIP counselor and make sure you are eligible for LIS for the prescriptions, and the Medicare Savings program, especially QMB(If eligible, you can not be billed for co-pays in most cases.)
Study that manual, and the counselor will walk you through the process of you making the best decision for your situation,Hope this helps.
At any time, you can go to Benefits.com to see what programs you are eligible for. If you husband was a veteran, go to the VA site and click on pensions.
John
