Medicare says she can't recieve Medicare period because she did'nt work long enough.Hello she was 16yrs old when she started presenting symptoms and her nuerolosgist whom was still investigating her problem stopped her from working due to her stability,she was working at McDonalds.What happens in her case, thats the catch 22 that you will see me refer to often here.
Thank You,
Donna
Donna, please don't hesitate to contact me in the Advocacy Department of The ALS Association at pwildman@alsa-national.org. I'd be happy to help. We're always available as a resource to turn to if anyone experiences difficulties with or has questions about Medicare, Social Security or other federal programs.
- Pat Wildman
If you and/or your husband are unable to provide for your daughter through private health insurance, you should apply for Medicaid insurance through your state's Department Of Human Services. ALS is tragic enough. You shouldn't have to deal with insurance issues as well.
Wes
You should consult with an Attorney in your area that specializes in Social Security and Disability. He/She can advice you better regarding the laws of benifits in your state.
For one, individuals with ALS should be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSDI) after they receive an ALS diagnosis from their primary neurologist. And because of the ALS Treatment and Assistance Act (HR 353), signed by the President in 2000, the usual two-year Medicare waiting period for SSDI-eligible individuals with ALS is waved.
Secondly, however, your Attorney may have to give you more information about Medicare in your state. From a general stand-point, in any state, a person must be elgible for Medicare before they will have access to the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, regardless of how they currently receive their health coverage.
This means, you may have to find an alternative to Medicare or an extension to its plan. To do this, you may neeed to contact you local Health Department for information.
Hope this answers your question!
REFERENCE(S)
1. The ALS Association, Social Security Administration (Online: The ALS Association, 2006) http://www.alsa.org/policy/ssa.cfm
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