For 3 years I wrote to the Governor and Senator over having to have prior authorization for my Methadone and having to fight my insurance to get it. About a year ago they emailed me and said they did away with the Prior authorization of it.

Last week I wrote again to the Senator after 5 years of fighting for my Prevacid. What I found is that my poor Nurses got tired of filling out the paperwork only to have it sent back to them that is wasn't filled out right.

I got an email back from him the same day saying that it was something he thought he could help me with. The next day, I got a letter from my insurance that I no longer need prior authorization for the Prevacid. Thank God for all miracles big and small.

I got my disability with the help of a State Rep.

I have learned that you have to fight for everything you feel you need to get better in this world. I wish others would do this. What I notice is that you have to get healthier in some ways to do it. It took me 8 years to get to where I could mentally fight for what I believed in.

I just wanted all of you to know that we do need to write these Politicians for help and to state our feelings about anything going on anymore.

Ada

It doesn't hurt to write and ask them, the worst they can do is say no or ignore you...

Last summer I found out that Social Security has mistakenly denied me a widow's pension. I receive a letter from them that said they had to determine if I had received SSI so they could deduct the amount from what I was owed. I did not get SSI, so it should have been easy for them to pay me. I waited three months and called the SS office because I had not received any money. I was told to wait another three months and if I did not recieve anything by then, to call them again. I was told there was a backlog so I had to wait.

I wrote a letter to my state representative, and eleven days later, I got my money!

I was so relieved because I had been living with the help of my credit card for years. All this time I had been been below the poverty level. Now I am just poor (Ha Ha).

When you call the SS 800 number it may be a good idea to call again to get another opinion. When I called years ago, I was told I had to wait until I was of retirement age just to get any information about my former (deceased) husband's account. All this time I was entitled to a widow's SS benefit. I struggled needlessly for years. The lady I spoke to on the phone obviously had no idea what she was talking about.

You are so right. If you need help, as someone in a position to get results. Regards, Lil

So Lil, Do you get all those years that you didn't receive the widow SS benefits
paid to you now?? I know it's probably too much to hope for, but I was curious if
they would retro your benefits back to your original eligibility date or not.

I personally didn't have to much of an issue receiving mine, but it urks me that I
have to be on it for 24 months before I am eligible for Medicare benefits. Did anyone
else have that problem?

Love, Peace & Blessings,
Marla

If you are talking about SS there is a 2 year waiting list for Medicare. Bill had to wait 2 years and I believe it's just standard. At least it's that way when a person becomes disabled and goes on SS.

Ada

Hi Ada,
Yes ma'am that 2 year waiting period is the part of the system that really gets to me, what if people don't have any other insurance coverage and can't afford to get any. Would Medicaid step into play?
I am not one of the many who are faced with that issue, but I would have thought that once you "Qualified" as being "disabled" (other than the common Renal Failure, etc.) they would know medical expenses would follow. Guess it's just one of my pep-peeves of the system.
Love, Peace & Blessings,
Marla

You know, they may just pay. What Medicaid did for Bill was to pay the amount that SS took out of his check every month for the Medicare when he did get on it. He also had a medicaid card where they picked up what Medicare didn't pay for the last 10 years of his life.

All states are different though. Colorado is good about helping their elderly and disabled where other states aren't. Kentucky is one that don't care about no one in my book.

I would call your Social Services office and ask them what they will and won't do for a person.

Ada

Hi Ada,

You are correct, each state is different on their standards for receiving the benefits of either
Medicare or Medicaid and checking with your local SS office is the best advice possible.

Thank You!!

Love, Peace & Blessings,
Marla

Hello Marla,

Yes, I got a lump sum for the back payments not received. My exhusband left the state to avoid child support and also worked under the table since our divorce in 1984. I don't get much since he didn't pay into the SS system since 1984, but every bit helps. That lump some was like a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.

As for the Medicare, there is a two-year wait after you are disabled. I was able to get medicaid, help with heat, and food stamps ($29 a month).

You could call your local assistance office to find out if you qualify for help. Good luck, Lil

Thank you Lil, I am glad they gave you the lump sum. That is the only right thing they could have done and I am glad to see that they did do the right thing.

There is a place called Angel Food Ministries and they have food you can buy once a month at very low prices. They are in every state and most towns. I know their website tells each town per state. This last month we paid $90.00 for food and it filled both our freezers with meats and veggies, more meat really, but we only have to go to the grocery store for the little things needed after that. And we know our money went to the ministry, not to somebodies pocket. So you feel good about helping someone at the same time you help yourself. And with the cost of groceries now-a-days, it sure has been a blessing in our lives.

I have talked with the Medicaid office and like you, they weren't going to pay much, if any because I have health coverage with my husband's employer so I was needy enough. So I will wait another few months and the Medicare will kick in. But I thank you for your help.

Love, Peace & Blessings,
Marla