Caregivers Support Group

JustMica, we are in the same boat.

My husband has Medicare and makes "too much money" with his disability check to qualify for Medicaid. It is as if he is penalized for working hard all his life.

People have told me that he should qualify for Medicaid, that are special programs, etc. but every time I talk to someone at the state or through Social Services, it's always the same, i.e. He makes too much money for any of their programs...

Wish I could offer something helpful to you! If you find a solution, let us know.
Molly

If there is not a Multiple Sclerosis group in your town, you could start one. You'd be amazed at how many MS sufferers there are in your area. Maybe you could put a sign up at the Hospital or at nuerologist's offices. Just a suggestion.

Unfortunately, Medicaid varies from state to state as well as qualifications. It's one of those "federal benefits" that got turned over to states to provide. I would try contacing your county health department to see if they have any advice/guidance in your situation.

This is a really big problem. We somehow got into a program that does NOT go by your insurance. Jim had a rage seizure that landed him in the hospital talking to his nuerologist he was the one that put us in touch with the place that Jim gets therapy. If you call counseling offices in your area and explain to them what is going on maybe they have some kind of program he can get into.

Good news! Although counseling is still a "specialty" rate, 40$ a visit, I think. But I checked with the plan our medicare is through, and some quality providers have been added to the plan. That means I can return to my previous psychologist from '08 and I can get him into care. That's another 160$ a month if we both go twice a month, so I have to juggle some more, and squeeze yet another turnip, but it will be the biggest help at this point, for both of us.

Molly... that is almost word for word what I was saying to someone this last week. "It is as if he is penalized for working hard all his life." The harder he worked, the more money he made, the more "things" we enjoyed. Then disability. The more depressed he was about losing work, the less money he is offered for health care, the more "things" we lost waiting for that disability to start.... and then the medicare.

We make "enough," his disability is at max, my disability (received in '98) helps, and I am thankful we both have some insurance. I do miss those good old days of GOOD insurance. I just didn't know how good we had it. Won't make that mistake again. It may not be the best, but I have a home, and a little yard, and air conditioning, and a good running car (with natural air conditioning). I don't have the best model of anything, and most of the things I managed to replace are second hand. And I am thankful I have them.

I do still miss my little blue house. A lot.

Never say "It could be worse." You'll jinx yourself =}