Medical Help For Father On SSDI ???

[karihager1982]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

Good afternoon. I wasn't quite sure where to post this at - so I thought this might be the right place to put it.

Today we found out that my father (who is disabled) has been approved for social security disability.

He has worked for 38 years and has always had health insurance. Now he has none. We now found out that my father will not get any medicaid until August 2006. (With SSDI you have to wait 29 months from the day you became disabled.)

My father is diabetic, and has other health problems that need to be addressed. If some of these things are not treated, or looked at, I fear that that something bad could happen to him.

So here's my question. Is there anywhere to go where my dad can seek medical help until he gets his medicaid? Does anyone know of any programs in Michigan that help people out with things like this?

He just cannot possibly afford to purchase his diabetes medication, and inhalers that he needs.

Thanks for any replies!
- Kari

[tigger22472]

He needs to go to his welfare department and apply for MediCAID. Sometimes they have a 'spin down' that causes you to pay X amount (depending on the state sometimes it's X amount a year or X amount a month) in order to qualify, however, it doesn't guarentee he will be approved it's a good place to start.

[karihager1982]

Thanks so much - I'll let him know!

[BlondiePB]

We now found out that my father will not get any medicaid until August 2006.

Kari,
I'm very glad that your dad was able to quickly become eligible for SSD. This new thread is a little confusing though. Are you saying that your father will not be eligible for Medicare or for Medicaid until August of 2006. There's a huge difference!!

[karihager1982]

Sorry for the confusion. He will not be eligible for Medicaid until August 2006. We were told that you have to wait 29 months from the date you were first disabled to get Medicaid.

This may sound silly - but I do not know what Medicare is. Is this something that he could apply for?

I suppose I need to do some more research!

Thanks!

- Kari

[tigger22472]

Honey, I'm 99.9% your still confused. MediCARE is through federal government funding and when you get SSDI you must be disabled 2 years (except in some conditions) before you are eligible. MediCAID is a state funded program.

[karihager1982]

Well - then I suppose I'm still confused. I've never had to do this before, so I have no idea what is funded through the state, or federal government. I don't know what he can, and cannot get.

Does this mean that he will not get anything until he is disabled for 2 years?

I'm sorry if I am confusing everyone - really - I'm not trying to make it difficult.

Thanks for the replies,
- Kari

[tigger22472]

no.. you have your dad go to the welfare off and apply for MediCAID.

[BlondiePB]

Originally Posted by karihager1982

Well - then I suppose I'm still confused. I've never had to do this before, so I have no idea what is funded through the state, or federal government. I don't know what he can, and cannot get.

Does this mean that he will not get anything until he is disabled for 2 years?

I'm sorry if I am confusing everyone - really - I'm not trying to make it difficult.

Thanks for the replies,
- Kari

Medicaid is a state program and SSI is a program that are based on assests. As stated in two of your other threads, your father is taking his name off a deed of a house, and you are putting his $50,000.00 from his bank account into your bank account. This is what is known as "spending down". Spending down is fraud, and fraud is illegal. The state goes back for quite a while and checks on assests. You are assisting in a crime. Your links to the changing of assests are here:

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=201091[/url] and

[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=200999[/url]

As noted on one of the above threads, SSD is not based on assests. I'm sure rmet will drop in and have direct you to some resources that will assist with this legally. And, there are prescription companies (i.e. Pfizer, etc.) that do provide prescriptions for those with low income (I do not believe that assests count) for free or for very, very little cost ($5.00). Medicare is a Federal Program that is not based on assests.

[karihager1982]

I do understand now - For medicaid he will have to go down to the welfare office and apply.

Medicare he will get after two years of his disability.

Yes - my father wanted me to put his money in my name, but after discussing this with others, and himself, I have decided not to do so. I do not want to get into trouble for fraud or anything.

He will still be taking the house out of his name though, and putting it into my sisters name completely. Not just because he doesn't want it listed as an asset, but because he doesn't want the responsibility (if for some reason my sister or her husband fail to pay the taxes. He doesn't want that to come back to him).

Is there a limited amount of money/assets that you can have in order to get approved for Medicaid??? He did have roughly $50,000 in savings, but with no income, and having to spend money to keep things going (electric, gas, groceries, etc...), it has dwindled down.

Thanks for all of your replies, you are all very helpful!

- Kari

[BlondiePB]

Originally Posted by karihager1982

I do understand now - For medicaid he will have to go down to the welfare office and apply.

Medicare he will get after two years of his disability.

Yes - my father wanted me to put his money in my name, but after discussing this with others, and himself, I have decided not to do so. I do not want to get into trouble for fraud or anything.

** A very, very, wise decision.

He will still be taking the house out of his name though, and putting it into my sisters name completely. Not just because he doesn't want it listed as an asset, but because he doesn't want the responsibility (if for some reason my sister or her husband fail to pay the taxes. He doesn't want that to come back to him).

** And by doing so, then applying for state assistance, your father will be committing fraud regardless of his intention.


Is there a limited amount of money/assets that you can have in order to get approved for Medicaid??? He did have roughly $50,000 in savings, but with no income, and having to spend money to keep things going (electric, gas, groceries, etc...), it has dwindled down.

** Yes. The amount of assests varies from state to state.

Thanks for all of your replies, you are all very helpful!

- Kari

** You're welcome. Is your father a Veteran?

[karihager1982]

Hi BlondiePB - no, my father is not a vereran.

I had no idea that by him putting the house in my sister's name before filing would be fraud. Wow. That is good to know.

Just today, I've gotten in contact with someone from our local welfare office (Family Idependant Agency) by e-mail. They have been very helpful with answering my questions too.

Thanks again!

- Kari

[BlondiePB]

Well, then he does not qualify for Veteran's benefits. However, since dad is "officially declared disabled", call the Department of Elder Affairs and find out what is available for your father.

[karihager1982]

Thank you - I will contact them, and see what he can possible do.

Thanks again!

- Kari

[BlondiePB]

Originally Posted by karihager1982

Thank you - I will contact them, and see what he can possible do.

Thanks again!

- Kari

You're welcome. And, thanks for doing the right thing.