I have Medicare A and B. What is the difference between MediCARE and MediCADE?


Also, I am on SSDI, when will I be able to get SSI if at all?

Thanks, Nikko

Nikko,

Medicare is Federal insurance program. You're eligible for that after you go on Social Security -- either Social Security Disability or regular Social Security (after retirement). Social Security is based on monies that were paid into the system by both you and your employer.

If you did not pay into the Social Security system or if your monthly payment is very low, you're usually eligible for SSI (supplemental security income). That's paid for out of general tax revenues and it's administered by both the Federal and the State governments.

If you have SSI, you're eligible for Medicaid. That's also a Federal insurance program that's administered by the States. Medicaid covers more than Medicare. And in a lot of states, eyeglasses and dental are also covered.

Every year in January or February, the poverty level rates are published here:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/. Save this bookmark. It's updated in mid-January to mid-February every year. Will give you an idea of where you will be standing financially for the coming year.

The table here: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07poverty.shtml
gives you the yearly allowable poverty level income by number of family members.

Each state takes these numbers and uses different percentages of that income to determine what other services you're entitled to. In Massachusetts, the Medicaid program is called MassHealth and they use these calculations to determine if you're eligible and how much you'll have to pay for a monthly fee if you are determined to be eligible: http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/mas..._deskguide.pdf

This is the one for Arizona: http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Public...quirements.pdf

It looks like Arizona might not be as "generous" as Massachusetts.

But, you want to call them and make sure that you have everything that you're eligible to. I know from experience that when the new figures come out in January/February in the Federal Register, no one volunteers to tell you about any programs that you might now be eligible for.

Usually, you cannot get Medicaid unless your income is below a certain level. Surprising, I was not eligible last year but am eligible this year. It's like a big chess game. When they take away my Medicaid coverage, they throw me into free care pool (which means free hospital care above what Medicare already pays for) but no eyeglasses or dental work.

Here's the phone numbers to call to see if you're eligible for anything else: http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us/Services/Locations.asp Oh, make sure to ask if you're eligible for help with your Medicare payments. If you're not getting that, that's close to $90 a month. Nice

Hugs. Hope this helps. Ask. It never hurts to ask; and they never volunteer.

Barb

Hi Nikko,
edited to add. PM Just Jacquie when she stops in if you have a specific question she may know too.

Last fall at a NAMI conference there was a woman spoke on this matter. I will go look for some of my older post on the soc sec forum and OBT.

SSDI is based on your work quaters, SSI applied for at the sme time is more a welfare based..no work history, or low amounts.
My De had SSD and SSI, SSD was over $600 a month then offset with $46 @ 2 weeks her workers comp, then $24 in SSI.

From this low income of SSI , her medicare part B was paid for by the SSI welfare in our state, also the ACCESS card was gived to her and all dental and eye, nominal amount for glasses and foodstamps, about $150 a month. (went by utilities and rent etc)

I did have problems only one dentist took the dental in our area. Thankfully it was the family dentist.

THe medicare is the type A and B and now part D you receive. If not eligible for the SSI payment of part B, I think it went up to $82.50 a month this year. I stopped mine as my husbands family plan covers everything for me. I had to get a letter from his employer, thisprotects me from future penalties if I have to re-enroll.

THe medicaid, if you are on an (PA) access, low income, picks up after other medical coverages as primary. As her workers comp was first, I think her soc sec was second and anything not covered, medicaid paid.

During the transition to part D, she maxed it out after three months, her medicaid paid for her medications, a $2 copay. Even if it was over the counter if she had a script, it was long term, they paid or reimbursed.

Her plan D was AARP, there was a $4.00 copay on BRAND, $2 on generics. she did not need to meet a deductable....I think it was off-set.

I have SSDI only, because my husbands earnings are too high for me to be eligable for an offset even though my SSDI is so low.

I am not entilteled to offset of SSI. His earnings bump me out. PLUS, my soc sec goes on our total income, and with his earnings much of my soc sec was taxable.

Most of the rest of the presentation I was told was about working on SSDI and the programs that assist.
Generally when you apply for SSDI a claim for SSI is filed at the same time, even if you know you are above the income to be eligable.

If anyone knows of sometjing different or additional please change or add...I would also search the social security forum for information and the www.ssa.gov site
Di

WOW some very good information on SSDI and SSI.

I was always told you couldn't draw both.

Donna