Resources for disability benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and navigating health coverage.
Basics of SSDI
If you have been contributing to the Social Security long enough and recently enough, if your disability makes it impossible for you to work, and if the disability looks like it will last for a year or longer, you can qualify for Social Security Disability. Your doctor will have to write a statement describing your disability for Social Security.
If you have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI, and if your assets are low, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income instead. SSI provides immediate eligibility for Medicaid. You can return to work if you feel able; just let SSI know.
The Social Security Administration has the official word. There are answers to just about any question a person has. It's actually pretty understandable, but it's very spread out over page after page of specific answers for specific situations.
If you do not have health insurance, below are some options that might be available to you.
Can be found at www.HealthCare.gov. Marketplaces provide one location for people to learn about private and some public health insurance plans available to them, where they live. Individuals who choose plans in the Marketplace may be eligible for financial assistance.
A federal health insurance program, which provides coverage to individuals who are entitled to Social Security retirement benefits and are 65 years of age or older, individuals who are under the age of 65, but have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for no less than 24 months, individuals entitled to Railroad Retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement disability benefits, individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). You may be eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits if you are over 65 or disabled and have very limited income. Medicaid might cover what Medicare does not.
A federal health insurance program with eligibility criteria and benefits that vary from state to state. Thirty-one states provide coverage for low income adults, while in other states individuals have to meet other requirements, such as having a disability, having a dependent child or being over age 65. You may be eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits if you are over 65 or disabled and have very limited income. Medicaid might cover what Medicare does not.
If you have health insurance coverage through your employer or a spouse's employer, COBRA may allow you to maintain that coverage if you experience a qualifying event, such as leaving your job. Consult your benefits manager.
You may be eligible to receive health care through the Veterans Administration.
ACS Health Insurance Assistance Service: 1-800-ACS-2345 Triage Cancer has a tool on their website to find all types of insurance options and other government benefits options.
If you have health insurance, it's important to learn about the specifics of your policy, including:
A good place to start is with your health insurance card. Your insurance card will have numbers you can call to learn more about your policy. Many health insurance companies offer insurance case managers to assist insured individuals diagnosed with cancer. These trained individuals (often registered nurses or licensed social workers) will follow your case closely, helping to coordinate care and insurance benefits. Contact your insurance company to ask if they will assign you a case manager. Learning more about what your policy does and does not cover will help you better work with your insurer to make sure you receive all the benefits and coverage to which you are entitled. You will also be better prepared to deal with any questions or disputes you may encounter.
It is not unusual for claims to be denied or for insurers to say they will not cover a test, procedure or service that your doctor ordered. However, you can appeal your health insurance company's decision and you may be able to get the decision overturned. Check with your health care team to see if there is someone on staff who can help you. If the appeal is for coverage of a specific medication, some manufacturers may be able to help you with your appeal. If you choose to file the appeal yourself, remember that courtesy and a cool head will increase your chances of success. It is normal to be frustrated, irritated, or angry that a claim was denied. However, how you share that frustration and anger may affect the success of your appeal. If your appeal is denied, you still have options. You can ask for a final decision in writing and then file an external appeal. However, if your issue is urgent, you don't have to wait to get a final decision from your insurance company before filing an external appeal. An external appeal involves a review of your claim by an independent organization outside of your insurance company. All private health insurance plans are now required to have external appeals processes. You can also request help from your state's Consumer Assistance Program, your state's insurance agency or the Department of Labor if you are insured under a federal policy. For more information, click here. Download Tips for Appealing a Denial of Coverage
From TRIAGE CANCER - When an Insurance Co. Denies a Claim - helpful guidance for patients/caregivers:
https://vimeo.com/499714526
To get the most out of your coverage, you'll need to keep track of all the paperwork, as well as the conversations and transactions that take place between you and your insurance provider. This convenient checklist can be used to help you manage your insurance information during your cancer care. Start here: