Medicare

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Chemo_Princess
Chemo_Princess Member Posts: 105
in Ovarian Cancer #1
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

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  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
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    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
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #3
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    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
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #4
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    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
    Chemo_Princess Member Posts: 105
    #5
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    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
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #6
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    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
    Chemo_Princess Member Posts: 105
    #7
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    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
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #8
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    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
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #9
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    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
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    #10
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    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

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