Question
I have been on disability for 2 years and have carried my own insurance policy 2 months ago I aquired medicaid, now I have gotten notice that I am eligible for medicare, I dont want it it doesnt cover my meds and I dont want to ask permission for the surgerys I need, medicaid says I MUST get medicare for they will drop me is this true can they force me to get medicare, if so I will drop all of it I dont want the gov. telling me whether or not I can have surgery and I would have to pay out of pocket for my meds which would cost more for me in the long run than keeping my medical insurance, fyi I am 48
Answer
Hi Sharon
Boy, are you miss informed. You are a dual eligible, having Medicare and Medicaid. This makes you eligible for extra help with prescriptions, and also the Medicare Savings program.
What does this mean:
Medicare and Medicaid pay Medical expenses.
You get you prescriptions for about $5 each
QMB, a Medicare Savings Program, pays all the insurance premiums.
Go to the local Social Security and ask about the benefits of getting set up with Medicare and getting EXTRA HELP and QMB. And also get a copy of MEDICARE AND YOU 2010. On the center of the back cover is the number for the nearest SHIP program to you. Give them a call and ask for a counselor to meet with you and go over the programs so you can see the whole picture and make the best decisions.
If you do not get Medicare, it is true, Medicaid will drop you.
If you stay away from the HMOs, you will not need approvals for treatments.
John
