Author Topic: progressing towards AIDS courtesy of my labs and not being able to afford meds.. (Read 10337 times)

pozhealthy · « **on:** January 28, 2009, 11:15:54 pm »

Ok, so how do you do it? I have short and long term available via my job. Assuming I get this do I also get SSDI? or do they only let you use one? I realize this is rather vague. But if I apply I am not sure where to live and pay for things while I wait to find out if i meet the criteria for disability.
Suggestions and comments welcome.

aztecan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:44:06 pm »

Hey Pozhealthy,

Rather than worrying about what type of disability to file for, I thing I would be spending more time findhing a way to get the meds you need.

Getting Social Security disability is a lot more difficult than it sounds and could take months before it is approved - if it is approved. Often, the first time around, people are denied and must appeal.

Private disability may be easier to obtain, I don't know. I do know they keep a pretty close reign on those types of things and several people have posted they were undergoing periodic reviews quite regularly. In other words, if they think, in their infinite wisdom, you don't qualify any longer, they cut you off and you have to fight to get it reinstated.

The bottom line is it is still better to maintain or regain health rather than waiting for the worst to happen and plan for disability, which would be short-lived anyway if you don't get your medical needs taken care of.

Of course, this is just my 2 cents worth.

HUGS,

Mark

AndyArrow · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2009, 12:04:57 am »

Have you checked with your local ASO to see if there is any type of assistance available for obtaining your drugs either through a local clinic or your state ADAP?

Also, some of the drug companies offer different types of assistance of their own.

Good luck,
AA

Dachshund · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:32:48 am »

Quote from: pozhealthy on January 28, 2009, 11:15:54 pm

Ok, so how do you do it? I have short and long term available via my job. Assuming I get this do I also get SSDI? or do they only let you use one? I realize this is rather vague. But if I apply I am not sure where to live and pay for things while I wait to find out if i meet the criteria for disability.
Suggestions and comments welcome.

I think it's safe to say that you probably won't get any type of disabilty as long as you continue to work. I'm not sure if you're saying you already have disabilty insurance through work or that it's just available. If you have it, I would think reading through your policy would specify the terms. If you don't, certainly your work would provide the details on how their disabilty insurance coverage is administered, etc. The policy I had only covered me until I could get SSDI. It's all different, but in should be spelled out quite clearly for you in your policy.

I know this continues to frustrate you, but as Mark said this will all be moot if you aren't taking your meds.

atxpozguy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2009, 02:30:09 am »

I could be wrong, but even if you are approved for SSDI, you still must wait 2 years before eligible for any part of Medicare. At least it was that way when I was approved for SSDI back in 2001.

If you are in Texas, our state provides the medications prescribed by an ID doctor at no cost.

rondrond · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2009, 11:55:17 pm »

Quote from: atxpozguy on February 12, 2009, 02:30:09 am

I could be wrong, but even if you are approved for SSDI, you still must wait 2 years before eligible for any part of Medicare. At least it was that way when I was approved for SSDI back in 2001.

If you are in Texas, our state provides the medications prescribed by an ID doctor at no cost.

Yes. My meds are paid for by Tarrant County/Preventative Medical Clinic, and anything they don't cover are paid for by ADAP. I have also been told that there is a 2 year wait for Medicare, but that there are loopholes to bypass that wait.

AndyArrow · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2009, 02:26:04 am »

The waiting period of medicare is actually 30 months (so a little over two years) according to the letter I got when I was told I was approved for medicare but had to wait until June 2009.

An important note is that they may consider you were disabled before you actually started receiving benefits for disability. In which case you waiting period is from the date you were disabled and not necessarily from when your benefits started.

rondrond · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2009, 01:23:25 pm »

Quote from: AndyArrow on February 15, 2009, 02:26:04 am

The waiting period of medicare is actually 30 months (so a little over two years) according to the letter I got when I was told I was approved for medicare but had to wait until June 2009.

An important note is that they may consider you were disabled before you actually started receiving benefits for disability. In which case you waiting period is from the date you were disabled and not necessarily from when your benefits started.

That's a good point, Andy. At the onset of the blood clots, everyone kept saying, "you need to file, right now', even if you don't turn out to need it, they use the filing date for determinations.

caregiver2008 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2009, 07:37:07 pm »

There is a 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A, B, and D unless you are on renal dialysis. Obama wants to change the 24-month waiting period to zero waiting period. Not sure he will succeed.

Just my 2 cents...

Thank God for TX ASO's!

sharkdiver · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2009, 08:16:36 pm »

Quote from: caregiver2008 on February 19, 2009, 07:37:07 pm

There is a 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A, B, and D unless you are on renal dialysis. Obama wants to change the 24-month waiting period to zero waiting period. Not sure he will succeed.

Just my 2 cents...

Thank God for TX ASO's!

No offense caregiver, since you are not poz or a LTS, please respect the request to not post in the Long Term Survivor forum.

Thank you,
Sharkie

Ann · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2009, 09:13:21 pm »

Shark,

Chill out already. Caregiver was trying to help - and not being condescending. Wish as much could be said for you.

Ann

pozhealthy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2009, 10:39:16 pm »

in shock!!!!!! the moderator actually kinda sorta scolded sharkie for pouncing on the posting of a non LTS......OMG
i am still reeling......LOL

sharkdiver · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2009, 01:11:37 am »

I apologize caregiver, seriously. Just been a little sensitive lately not that its okay to make excuses.

caregiver2008 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2009, 06:52:21 am »

Thank you Sharkie for your PM.

Sorry, still kinda new here. I read the post and thought I'd post a reply.

I'll stay out of LTS forum...

Everyone have a great day!

Dachshund · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:49:16 am »

Quote from: pozhealthy on February 19, 2009, 10:39:16 pm

in shock!!!!!! the moderator actually kinda sorta scolded sharkie for pouncing on the posting of a non LTS......OMG
i am still reeling......LOL

Back to the question you posted. Did you do your homework and find out if you have disabilty coverage at work? Seems like that is where you need to start in the process. Good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor.

pozhealthy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:26:16 pm »

dachsund,
ty for getting this post back on track. I have not found out much from work. I can use a few sick days and then have to fill out FMLA papers or something. It's hard to sort of walk the line of asking and not disclosing my situation.
Any suggestions out there on how to word my questions as to not arouse too much suspicion. Or maybe I should just frame the question as a "what if i got cancer or injured and could not work....." type of thing.

AndyArrow · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2009, 04:51:21 am »

ph,

FMLA will allow you take time off if your sick or for doctors appointments and the like but it is unpaid time off.

I don't know that I would phrase it exactly like that (what if I got cancer). Your situation depends on what size company you work for, how long you've been there and exactly who you'll be asking, HR ... another co-worker???

I would probably try something along the lines of "I've seen all those commercials with that duck for Aflac and was wondering if we have anything like that here." This way you don't mention your health all but are simply inquiring about benefits.

good luck!
AA

Dachshund · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2009, 07:58:54 am »

I'm getting a little frustrated here. It seems the answer to your question would be to read the policy. Unless you have the most liberal disabilty policy I have ever heard of you're going to have to provide verifiable proof of illness. Hinting "oh by the way I think I have cancer" ain't gonna cut it. Like it or not you're going to have to prove an AIDS diagnosis to receive disabilty. You say you're not taking your meds. Who gives a damn what they think at your work. You'll be at home trying to put your life back together. Eventually your destroyed health is going to take care of all of this for you.

pozhealthy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:44:00 pm »

did i say i had cancer??? no, re read my post carefully. i have looked at the policy and its really vague that is why i am asking questions on here. trust me its just as frustrating for me when people don't read the posts and post a reply that does not help.
arrggh
never mind

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Author Topic: progressing towards AIDS courtesy of my labs and not being able to afford meds.. (Read 10337 times)