Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
Yes, it can happen. I applied for disability at the end of last year on line. I had an appointment to bring all the documents required in January. I did go very prepared. I had a folder with all the procedures I've have had, The Doctors names addresses, fax numbers etc.
I also had the dates of when I felt I became disabled, the day I stopped working etc.
I also told them about all of my symptoms.
Yesterday I received my letter saying I have been approved. Someone up there likes me, as I've been told, one is usually turned down the first time.
I wish good luck to all of you who are in the process of trying to get your benefits.
Sammy.
I also had the dates of when I felt I became disabled, the day I stopped working etc.
I also told them about all of my symptoms.
Yesterday I received my letter saying I have been approved. Someone up there likes me, as I've been told, one is usually turned down the first time.
I wish good luck to all of you who are in the process of trying to get your benefits.
Sammy.
You were organized & prepared with documentation. That is key. Medicare will follow, hope you have some coverage meanwhile?
When I first got ill about 6 1/2 years ago, took a few months off, worked from home and thought I could tough it out.
Eight months later, back in the hospital with a massive bleed, doctors told me, you will not be going back to work.
With help from the hospital and a social worker, I was approved in three weeks. I was literally so weak, exhausted and just mentally out of it, I'm very thankful they took over. Remember getting a gigantic 20+ page form about what I could and couldn't do, shop, balance a checkbook, drive, walk, etc. I was so sick I didn't have the energy to do it, so called to ask for an extension. They said don't even worry about it, they had my medical records and it was a done deal.
You did pretty well to, six months is also pretty good, considering some people wait for years.
Don't remember exactly, but I believe there is a five month waiting period before receiving SSDI and Medicare won't kick in for another two years after that, so it may be tough for a while, but you've passed the biggest hurdle and shown you are truly disabled.
She was such a blessing. I got it done one line at a time.
There were some very lean months. I did what I had to do, using 401K & IRAs to survive despite the penalties.
I figured out - I can't live in an IRA, needed to keep my house.
Thankfully I had a private disability policy too. Talk about learning what you can live with out.
Grateful today because I've learned the freedom of living with less.
Can anyone give advice on Medicare? I've keep Aetna as primary heath ins turning down part B, part A there is no choice. I did this in the event Medicare wouldn't pay for transplant if it ever comes to that. Does anyone have advice?
@datsm: Medicare does cover transplants as long as they are done in a Medicare approved facility. If you elect drug coverage, it will cover your 'covered' immunosuppressive drugs up to the dreaded 'donut hole' or coverage gap. Many people elect a Medicare Advantage plan instead of basic Medicare. This would be called 'Part C.' (A combination of A+B and in some cases D.) It works like a typical insurance plan, much like Aetna that you currently have. It is important to go through all of the available plans to find the right fit for you. The drawback is... the available plans can/do change yearly and you would have to go through the hassle of figuring out which plan best suits your needs during enrollment every year. This can be a huge PIA. Especially if you find a great plan that all of a sudden pulls out of Medicare. We used to have Anthem for 2 years (which we loved, until they pulled out) now, we have Today's Option where at least our specialists are 'in network' (another thing to keep in mind.) However, we now pay $26.00 per month to cover drugs in addition to the $100.00 that SSDI takes out for Part B (which gets paid to Today's option.) All in all, the costs are way better than what I pay for private insurance on myself (almost $500.00 per month) and my insurance doesn't cover crap until I meet my deductible. At least with Medicare or MAP's, your deductibles are much lower. I am inserting these links in hopes that it will answer any questions....
http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/transplants-adults.html
http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/coverage-gap/part-d-coverage-gap.html
http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/medicare-benefits/part-c.aspx
Turning down Part B may come back to bite you later (should your financial picture change for the worse) as late enrollment penalties can be severe. Plus, the monthly fee for Part B will almost always be smaller than the average monthly premium for private insurance. (I say that tongue in cheek since everyone on Medicare lives a precarious existance with our lovely governments inability to care for our elderly and disabled.)
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Nicci
I wish u all the best of luck. I've been blessed.
Sammy.