2 years in stage 4, insurance question

Her_big_sister

Hi all, 

So my sister is 2 years post diagnosis. Her Cobra insurance is maxing out. From the research I've done, it looks like she might qualify for Medi-cal after 25 months of disability. Does anyone know about this? She is only 43. I think her latest paperwork sent into disability said she wouldn't be able to return to work for 99 months

Butt

I thought Cobra is 18 months. Why she wasn t trying to get another insurance on the market place knowing the situation? I am curious based on what grounds they determined that she won r be able to return to work? What were those symptoms they filed on? Butt.

Lovekitties

Check with

You should ask her doctor regarding prognosis of ever returning to work.  If he/she says never, then ask about filing for Medicare disability.  As stage 4 she will probably qualify.

Butt

If she goes on ssd the Medicare kicks in only 2 years later. The doctor can t just ask to give her medicare. Period.

Her_big_sister

For awhile her work didn't

For awhile her work didn't fire her, so she had her insurance. Then they let her go and she went on cobra. She was terrified this morning that she only had 2 weeks of insurance but this is such good news. Why oh why didn't the social worker at the doctor's suggest this ugh. 

Her doctor use to talk about her going back to work but she has new issues crop up fairly frequently. I really think at stage 4 they should give you the option of staying home. I mean how is she supposed to interview for a job when every 3-6 months she needs a new procedure?

Butt

What specific issues she had based on which the doctor is doing the disability form? Those issues must be listed. Butt.

Her_big_sister

Must be listed where? Getting

Must be listed where? Getting the long term/ permanent disability status isn't what I was asking about. My question was given that she has already been off work for two years does she qualify soon  for Medicare

Her_big_sister

I get all the names mixed up

I get all the names mixed up but the low income insurance is problematic for several reasons, the main one being that she does not want to switch doctors. My Google research has me hopeful that maybe she will qualify for the one we all get after 65 early. 

Joan M

She would only get Medicare after 2 year of disability

She should apply for disability if they say she can't work for 99 months.  The disability is paid out 6 months from the date they consider you disabled, and the Medicare is after 2 years of disability.   She may be eligible for a state Medicaid if she meets the financial qualifications. There are other programs through non-profit hospitals to help people without insurance and also to meet unreimbursed costs.  She should check with her clinic about any programs they have to help her until she qualifies for Medicare.  

SandiaBuddy

Medicaid

Is Medicaid a possibility?  Qualification varies from state to state.

Butt

In you original post you talk about the paperwork sent to disability. In this paperwork what specifically was listed that would suggest why she can t work. You can just out there a person has stage 4 cancer. There must be specific symptoms that prevent her from working. Butt.

Butt

Can you get an insurance on the market place all year around? Butt.

Her_big_sister

Butt

Butt

I realize that some people with cancer still work. Some don't. She doesn't. The specifics are irrelevant to my question. 

Thank you Joan. SS told her today she is eligible for Medicare in August which is very exciting. Here in California our low income insurance is called Covered California. We have an appointment with them Tuesday. I can't believe two years after she went off work with just found out that she would at some point qualify for Medicare. Such a relief. I am sure that we can figure out how to cobble together insurance to spend the gap between when Cobra runs out and then

Lovekitties

Butt said:

If she goes on ssd the Medicare kicks in only 2 years later. The doctor can t just ask to give her medicare. Period.

I understand

I understand that the doc can't give her medicare, but he can provide the info needed to qualify.  And yes, you have to submit info to Social Security in order to be considered.  Since she was diagnosed 2 years ago, time factor may not apply.

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

Marie who loves kitties

 

Joan M

Her_big_sister said:

Butt

Butt

I realize that some people with cancer still work. Some don't. She doesn't. The specifics are irrelevant to my question. 

Thank you Joan. SS told her today she is eligible for Medicare in August which is very exciting. Here in California our low income insurance is called Covered California. We have an appointment with them Tuesday. I can't believe two years after she went off work with just found out that she would at some point qualify for Medicare. Such a relief. I am sure that we can figure out how to cobble together insurance to spend the gap between when Cobra runs out and then

I'm happy to hear she will get the insurance she needs!

I hope the Covered California will help until the Medicare kicks in.  Did she already get disability payments?    

Butt

The reason I asked this question because it is something I want to know on how things are done in this situation. Butt.