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Filing for SS Disability with PH diagnosis
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I have insurance (very expensive insurance). I plan on applying for disability in July. I have a disability lawyer. I want to file early for social security, so as I understand it I have to be classified as disable first. This is all to reduce medical expenses. I have to wait till July so that I have all my quarters of working met. My husband and I own three businesses. I have worked all of my life but when we started the businesses I did not receive a paycheck, so no social security. So I’ve been working on getting paid.
But my question is does social security benefits cover medications, tests, and doctor visits like my insurance? I hear of people having to wait for or be denied for the medical things they need. Is it worth me changing from Blue Cross?
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@debbie, Social Security (whether for disability or retirement) does not include medical payments.
You could call the SS office to see if being on SSDI would qualify you for Medicare, though I don’t think so. You could call your city, county or state number for Medicaid to see if you could qualify for your state’s Medicaid program.
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Hi @debbie, the disability process seems to be different for all. But I have approved right away with the help of my doctor’s notes and paperwork and my notes about how the symptoms limited my ability to perform usual tasks( ADLs).
SSD does not pay for any medical costs. As @mamabear007 suggests, I would check with your local, city, and state government to see if you may qualify for Medicaid. If not, you’ll be paying for a Medicare plan out of your SSD and most often need a supplement insurance plan. It can be complicated. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, and many are doing it.
I would suggest keeping your current insurance at the moment if you can until you get some more answers on your particular case. Working with a disability advocate may be helpful with the businesses you own. You can look at your local area for one or with the SSD. PHA used to have someone who worked to help with insurance and disability. Do you know if he’s still there, @mamabear007, by chance?
Wishing you all the best and hope we can help support you as you head into another PH adventure. Here’s a link from PHA that has some resources about SSD.
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I was diagnosed in April of 2022 and it’s now May 2024 and I’m still waiting for my approval or denial. I get long term disability which I paid for through my employer and they have caused me so much stress because they constantly try to cancel me or only send me a small portion of my monthly payment so when I filed for SSD I just got an attorney because I couldn’t deal with the stress of having to fight with them both while dealing with this new diagnosis not to mention financial issues going from being an RN to having my pay cut by 60%. Personally, I would recommend getting an atty because they deal with everything and do all the leg work and now the ends and outs. My state had a huge back log is why over 2 years later I’m still waiting.
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Oh @Erin B Singleterry that is awful! As if the disease itself isn’t stressful enough!
Members, anyone else have a similar experience and have advice to offer?
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Hi, @Erin B Singleterry . That is so frustrating! Not only are you fighting your long-term disability that you’ve paid for for years, I’m sure. But you are also still fighting with SSD two years later! I’m sorry you are going through this, Erin.
I imagine working for years as an RN and trying to manage with that little pay and stress is overwhelming. Hopefully, the attorney will get your SSD going soon. I was fortunate to have been approved the first time. However, the caseworker told me it was all of my medical records that I offered and my doctor’s, too. But my log journal for about six months of how my PH affected my simple ADLs. As nurses, we are great at charting patients, and she said my notes sealed the deal. But some have been told they cannot offer their journals, etc. I made copies of the pages, and they took them.
How many times have you tried to appeal? Or does that help because you mention such a backlog in your state? My mom has several TIAS about a year after my PH diagnosis, she had to get an attorney an they got her approved within months. I am keeping you in my thoughts and crossing all I can that this world is well for you and soon!🤞
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