Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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HannaHana 09/13/2009

It took a 24 month waiting period of being on Social Security Disability (SSDI) for me to get Medicare. 24 months of being ill and unable to see any docs to get any better.

Now I finally have Medicare and NO ONE accepts it....or they accept it and it only covers 50%. There's no medication coverage, and if I opted for Rx coverage it would cost too much still for me to afford my medications.

What the hell is the point of disability? They don't give enough resources for you to get well enough to go back to work!

Sorry, just a rant.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

How long did it take to get on SSDI?

HannaHana 09/13/2009

It took me about 3 months to get onto SSDI, but I had an disability insurance company applying for me. I just had to sign some papers and that was it.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

3 months. Not bad. I just started the application process. Did as much on line as it would let me. It says I need to go in person for SSI. This is going to be a pain in the ass.

HannaHana 09/13/2009

don't falter if you get rejected....it took my sister 3 times (over 4 years) and a lawyer to finally get granted SSDI. You'll get it, just keep trying!

deleted_user 09/13/2009

I thought it only took 1 year to get Medicare. It takes 2 years?? This stinks.

HannaHana 09/13/2009

Yeah, it takes 2 years to get medicare. :( I finally have it, but I can't do shit with it.

My problem is, what am I supposed to do? I can't afford any treatment really.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

This is yet another reason we desperately need health care reform.

HannaHana 09/13/2009

very true ddd.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

You mean to say that if you're on SSD, you can't go tot he doctor, even of it's thru your husband's work? I've applied recently but don't know all the fine print of the program. I just thought they cut you a check monthly from your SS contributions when you worked. Is that true?

deleted_user 09/13/2009

They do cut you a check monthly, yes. And you can go to the doctor through your husband's work, yes. It's just difficult to find a doctor that take medicare alone. And prescriptions are still very expensive.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

the 2 year on Medicare is ridiculous. But be happy u were approved on the Ssdi in 3 mos! That's not very common. Took me 3 years.

HannaHana 09/13/2009

If I had a husband I could use his insurance too. I do get cut a monthly check as well as $$ for my kids.

Medicare just barely covers anything, so I can't afford to see docs or take meds.

I'm thrilled that I got SSDI so quickly. I'm so grateful I had a company to do it for me. I know that it takes a lot of time normally.

RhyRhy 09/13/2009

Hanna can you recommend a company? I am in Missouri and considering filling. My cousin gave me all the forms and stuff on a usb drive but I haven't looked into them yet. I mentioned it to one family member and got my ass chewed out and told "you know what everyone else goes to work when they don't feel good or are depressed so you can too! you don't deserve or need disability pay you're just lazy and a sorry excuse for a human"

HannaHana 09/13/2009

I can't recommend anyone really. It was Cigna through my job that got me the SSDI....and they only did it so they didn't have to pay me as much.

I wish I could work. I so don't want to be on disability.

deleted_user 09/13/2009

i highly suggest patient assistance programs with Pharm companies. i have been getting meds this way for years.

i was approved for SSDI the first time after 6 months of applying. i do not, however, qualify for medicare until a total of 24 months have passed from date of qualifying for disability. so no i don't qualify for medicaid nor medicare. i am in limbo.

3months, 6 months, 1 year is VERY unusual indeed.

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