Yes it has, but as to how it relates to SSDI is an issue that needs addressing. Now you have a person who is so ill that they cannot work. They collect a monthly wage that is normally leaps and bounds below what they are used to and what their previous budget was based on. The government, in their infinite wisdom, then says to this disabled person that they must get medical treatment for their disability or they will no longer qualify for the claim and the monthly benefit checks will cease. The government goes on to say that they will qualify for Medicare Part B in 2 years…2 years! Where is the logic in that? Now let’s say that this person simply cannot afford the premium at that time, and has the opportunity to utilize a free care system in their state. This goes on for years and then, do to some extra good budgeting, some good fortune, and luck the person is able to swing the monthly payments, what happens then? I will tell you what happens, the person is penalized at the rate of 10% for every year they qualified for Part B and did not accept it/ purchase it. Then they are back to square one because now, with the penalty, they cannot afford it again. Exactly what type of asinine system is this? Think it cannot happen, well think again because it happened to me and I am living it right now. If the free care system here fails or I no longer qualifiy, I will have a choice of a roof over my head or Medicare Part B. Think there are options? Think again. I looked into it and do not qualify for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Subsidies, because I already have subsidized health insurance available to me and that would be the Medicare Part B, to which I would pay a hefty penalty every month. Purchasing health insurance at the regular price without the subsidies would be totally and insanely expensive on my SSDI check and would again leave me without a place to live. This law needs to be changed and was actually addresses by Congressman Barney Frank before he retired in 2013, but it went nowhere. By the way, I did not even address the fact that Medicare only pays 80% after the yearly deductible. How is someone on a small fixed income supposed to deal with his and survive, especially if they are single and have no savings left? Again, this needs to be addressed.
The penalty is because usually if people turn down Part B it is because they don't need it. Some states will pay for Part B if the person qualifies for Medicaid. The penalty is in place in order to get people, disabled or 65, to take it when first eligible. No one in their right mind would buy insurance if they could just get it when they need it and not have to pay for it when they aren't sick, aren't in an accident or their house isn't on fire. Many poor folks qualify for Medicaid which will pay the other 20%. Medicare, like Social Security, was never meant to completely support you or pay all of your medical expenses.
5:29AM If you cannot afford a Part B Premium but qualify for free medical in the state then you should qualify for QMB or SLMB and get the premium paid by the state. Medicaid is ALWAYS the payor of last resort and that is why they want people on Medicare. With QMB all deductibles and copays are picked up by Medicaid, SLMB is for those with a bit more income and resources and pays the premium only.
There are Medicaid programs for those with low income. If you qualify for LIS(Limited Income Subsidy 150% of Federal Poverty Level) for Part D (prescription drugs) then you will most likely qualify for assistance with Part B premiums and depending on income even copays and deductibles. QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)and SLMB (Specified Low Income Beneficiary)programs provide assistance in all 50 States. You generally apply through Medicaid.
I often hear "I didn't know about those programs" "They keep them secret on purpose" but the information is provided with the Medicare paperwork when you sign up and if you qualify for LIS they send a separate letter telling you that you are probably qualified for more assistance.
You can provide the resources, you cannot force people to use them.
Yes it has, but as to how it relates to SSDI is an issue that needs addressing.
ReplyDeleteNow you have a person who is so ill that they cannot work. They collect a monthly wage that is normally leaps and bounds below what they are used to and what their previous budget was based on. The government, in their infinite wisdom, then says to this disabled person that they must get medical treatment for their disability or they will no longer qualify for the claim and the monthly benefit checks will cease. The government goes on to say that they will qualify for Medicare Part B in 2 years…2 years! Where is the logic in that?
Now let’s say that this person simply cannot afford the premium at that time, and has the opportunity to utilize a free care system in their state. This goes on for years and then, do to some extra good budgeting, some good fortune, and luck the person is able to swing the monthly payments, what happens then? I will tell you what happens, the person is penalized at the rate of 10% for every year they qualified for Part B and did not accept it/ purchase it. Then they are back to square one because now, with the penalty, they cannot afford it again.
Exactly what type of asinine system is this? Think it cannot happen, well think again because it happened to me and I am living it right now. If the free care system here fails or I no longer qualifiy, I will have a choice of a roof over my head or Medicare Part B.
Think there are options? Think again. I looked into it and do not qualify for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Subsidies, because I already have subsidized health insurance available to me and that would be the Medicare Part B, to which I would pay a hefty penalty every month. Purchasing health insurance at the regular price without the subsidies would be totally and insanely expensive on my SSDI check and would again leave me without a place to live. This law needs to be changed and was actually addresses by Congressman Barney Frank before he retired in 2013, but it went nowhere.
By the way, I did not even address the fact that Medicare only pays 80% after the yearly deductible. How is someone on a small fixed income supposed to deal with his and survive, especially if they are single and have no savings left? Again, this needs to be addressed.
The penalty is because usually if people turn down Part B it is because they don't need it. Some states will pay for Part B if the person qualifies for Medicaid. The penalty is in place in order to get people, disabled or 65, to take it when first eligible. No one in their right mind would buy insurance if they could just get it when they need it and not have to pay for it when they aren't sick, aren't in an accident or their house isn't on fire.
ReplyDeleteMany poor folks qualify for Medicaid which will pay the other 20%. Medicare, like Social Security, was never meant to completely support you or pay all of your medical expenses.
5:29AM If you cannot afford a Part B Premium but qualify for free medical in the state then you should qualify for QMB or SLMB and get the premium paid by the state. Medicaid is ALWAYS the payor of last resort and that is why they want people on Medicare. With QMB all deductibles and copays are picked up by Medicaid, SLMB is for those with a bit more income and resources and pays the premium only.
ReplyDeleteThere are Medicaid programs for those with low income. If you qualify for LIS(Limited Income Subsidy 150% of Federal Poverty Level) for Part D (prescription drugs) then you will most likely qualify for assistance with Part B premiums and depending on income even copays and deductibles. QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)and SLMB (Specified Low Income Beneficiary)programs provide assistance in all 50 States. You generally apply through Medicaid.
ReplyDeleteI often hear "I didn't know about those programs" "They keep them secret on purpose" but the information is provided with the Medicare paperwork when you sign up and if you qualify for LIS they send a separate letter telling you that you are probably qualified for more assistance.
You can provide the resources, you cannot force people to use them.