Medicare

Chemo_Princess

Just found out that I'm eligible for Medicare coverage. Those of you who have Medicare: have your chemo treatments always been covered? What about the iv anti-nausea meds? Any information you ladies can give would be greatly appreciated! I've got a lot of investigative work to do.
Blessings,
Natalie

Hissy_Fitz

Yes, all my treatments and
Yes, all my treatments and meds have been covered. The meds from the pharmacy - pain pills, anti-nausea drugs, etc - have to be filed under Part D, so choose that provider carefully. I elected to go with Humana, but there are lots of choices.

Medicare is actually one of the best coverages you can have, for cancer care. They even cover clinical trials. People who say they don't want health care reform because they don't want the government to manage their health care should consider this.....Medicare is government managed health care, and they do a pretty darn good job!

Carlene

VictoriaSF

question to chemo princess
hi,
i would like to find out if i am eligible for medicare and do not know where to start.
i am 45 years old and in november 2010 was dx with stage 3c ovca - debulking surgery, chemo, some cancer still there. later this month i will find out next step.
for now i am on state disability but will be applying for ssi.
i have heard that to be eligible for medicare you have to be on ssi for 2 years.
not sure what is your situation, please give me advise how if at all i can be eligible for medicare
thanks so much
Victoria

Cafewoman53

Chemo Princess
It depends on your state I guess I have read that some states have different limitations on what they cover. I live in NY and they have covered everything including Avastin which is very expensive. If you tell us what state you are in someone could give you more information. Even if they deny a drug or treatment I think you always have the option to dispute their decision. Only once did they deny a drug for me and it was before ovca it was for my arthritis, it was just a matter of having my dr fill out a form then they covered it. Good Luck
Colleen

Chemo_Princess

Thanks
Thanks for the info. I've been on social security disability for 2 years so that's how I'm eligible. I live in Kentucky, I'll check on the coverage for my state.

Hissy_Fitz

VictoriaSF said:

question to chemo princess
hi,
i would like to find out if i am eligible for medicare and do not know where to start.
i am 45 years old and in november 2010 was dx with stage 3c ovca - debulking surgery, chemo, some cancer still there. later this month i will find out next step.
for now i am on state disability but will be applying for ssi.
i have heard that to be eligible for medicare you have to be on ssi for 2 years.
not sure what is your situation, please give me advise how if at all i can be eligible for medicare
thanks so much
Victoria

Victoria...the criteria for
Victoria...the criteria for SSI and SSDI is the same - you must have been on either one for 24 months before you are eligible for Medicare.

Carlene

Chemo_Princess

Hissy_Fitz said:

Victoria...the criteria for
Victoria...the criteria for SSI and SSDI is the same - you must have been on either one for 24 months before you are eligible for Medicare.

Carlene

Thanks Carlene. I knew you
Thanks Carlene. I knew you would have info. You're awesome
Blessings,
Natalie

VictoriaSF

Hissy_Fitz said:

Victoria...the criteria for
Victoria...the criteria for SSI and SSDI is the same - you must have been on either one for 24 months before you are eligible for Medicare.

Carlene

Thank you Carlene!
thanks so much Carlene for clarification,
i do not know much about it.

best
Victoria

Hissy_Fitz

Chemo_Princess said:

Thanks
Thanks for the info. I've been on social security disability for 2 years so that's how I'm eligible. I live in Kentucky, I'll check on the coverage for my state.

It's not really up to the
It's not really up to the state, it's a matter of which company administers Medicare in your area.

I live in Texas and up until the last 6 or 8 months, Trailblazers, the 3rd party that has the contract to approve and pay Medicare claims here, would not approve Avastin for OC. That has since been changed, but in the interim, it created quite a hardship. One lady in my local support group went to live (sort of) with her sister in another state, so she could get Avastin.

Carlene

clamryn

Starting Medicare on 7/1
Hi Natalie, I am getting ready to go on Medicare July 1. I live in Missouri and I am currently on Avastin. I have asked my doctor about how the coverage is and he said that he has not problems with Medicare. They pretty much cover everything. That made me a happy camper.
Linda