I finally got some good news. Yesterday I received the ruling from the ALJ in my Medicaid (state insurance) hearing. He deemed me disabled and overturned the decision of the department of human services. I will now be able to get Medicaid and possibly other assistance.

I'm going to contact the people handling my SSDI claim and let them know. I'm wondering if this will help speed things along for that. They use the SS classification to determine disabilities. So if an ALJ has deemed me disabled for the Medicaid maybe that will be enough and I won't have to have another hearing?? Opinions...

it certainly cant hurt. i would besides calling them, mail them the decision certified mail return receipt. good luck.

That's some good news in the battle, fbodgrl !

I sent all the info to the people representing me ( provided by my LTD insurance company). I haven't heard back, which is frustrating! I've been having additional health issues and been dealing with some other stuff so I back burnered it. I'm going to follow up this week.

On another note ....I got more information on my state Medicaid that the ALJ decision sided with me. They now say I am disabled (since the ALJ said I am), but now they say because my LTD payments I only am eligible for a deductible based program. My deductible us $1572 a MONTH! I am getting SO angry! This basically does not help me at all. According to the DHS representative it is based on my income alone and it doesn't matter that I need to eat, pay a mortgage, utilities, etc. I just can't believe how ridiculous this is! Also they aren't reimbursing me ( which the ALJ back dated to July 2012 when I applied)

I'm sorry, fbodgrl, that's a really tough spot to be in. Once you get approved for SSDI and have the 24 months in to get MC, at least you'd have that option for healthcare, but I can't imagine how much harder that makes the wait. I hope that you can find some way to hang on.

Thanks! I just can't believe how ridiculous the "system" is. I know people here get it. I have to say before I became disabled I never knew how much you had to fight to get help. It seems like it is a constant battle.

The way the (government) SSDI system works.....
It is YOUR responsibility to get all your documented medical history relating to your disability. On more involved/complicated cases, it is best to get an attorney to represent you. However, it is still YOUR responsibility to get and/or inform all the pertinent information to your attorney. Your attorney can only go by the information you give him/her. It is wise to tell them ALL your treating physicians names, addresses, etc. Let them deal w/whats related & what's not. IT'S THEIR JOB. Remember, the attorney is working for YOU, not the other way around. The attorney (actually their assistant/paralegal) will do the rest.

If you do not have any attorney, be prepared to do a lot of running around and research. What made it easy for me was to do my own research through my local library. Ever see that "Where did you hear/read that?..on the internet commercial?

GOOD LUCK & HANG IN THERE.

I hand delivered my medical records the next day after applying online for disability. I was denied stating they did not have sufficient medical records. They did not list the medical records I had submitted. Even when you make sure that you have all your ducks in a row, SS will lose your info.

I too, got a denial letter that did not list some of my doctors. I had hand delivered the medical records for ALL my doctors yet some were not listed on the denial. They lost ALL the records I delivered and only used the ones they requested. I have hired an attorney to represent me at the hearing. I continue to see my doctors as needed and will have MORE medical records to add to my claim. The major debilitating health issue was also not listed on the denial. They only listed the 8 other issues that alone do not make me disabled but combined with the ONE that does disable me. How do they overlook the most important and most severe issue? They did have the medical records from that specialist, the neurosurgeon.

That stinks !

I needed my lawyer to follow up on all that kind of stuff, to make sure my record was complete and that te documentation fully described me disability.