Insurance confusion

[Vlc17]

Hi,

Does anyone know a bit about insurance? It can be so confusing!

I currently have health insurance from COBRA, but was reccomended to apply for medicaid to cover the out of pocket maximum i will have when it starts over next yr. I am on dialysis. They dont want me to apply for medicare until cobra is done.

My questions are:

1. Will medicaid be secondary?

2. Would i have to inform my insurance if approved for medicaid, or will medicaid inform them?

3.if i get insurance from a job, what happens to the medicaid?

Thank you in advance!

[Hidden]

There is some personal information required to answer your questions in this community. I've included a link below that may give you the answers, in private, that you are looking for.

Best of luck.

cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-...

[Jayhawker]

In addition to what Mr Kidney shared I have found it helpful to contact SHICK, Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas. I suspect most states have a similar organization for their state. After talking with a SHICK counselor I then called my work health insurance customer support center and finally I talked with the head nurse at a few local dialysis centers. Also my first nephrologist’s office was very good about helping me understand all of this.

I’m still not on dialysis but have a pretty good understanding regarding what I need to do with my insurance to have it covered when the time comes. However, about 2 times a year I check on everything again just to be sure nothing has changed, etc.

Jayhawker

[Hidden]

First of all the only way to know for sure if you qualify is to apply. Most states have a website where you can apply online.

Unless you are disabled under the SSI or SSDI regulations or over the age of 65 and on medicare you are unlikely to get medicaid. Be aware the income limits are set very low. In my state an adult must be disabled or eldely and make no more that $1200 a month and have less than $2000 in assets.

If you are not disabled I would apply for disability first because that will be a lengthy process.

If you are able to work and get insurance from a job you are not likely to get medicaid.

I have been disabled for many years under SSDI so I am insured under medicare. Medicaid is secondary insurance. I used to work part time (about 15 hrs/week) but even at that I didn't qualify for medicaid because I was making too much money.

I don't want to discourage you but medicaid guidelines are very strict and difficult to meet for an adult.

You should be able to look up your state's medicaid regulations online.

Some states offer temporary disability which might be an option for you.

The affordable care act might offer you some options as well.

As I said, it's always possible to apply for benefits so that you know for sure.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Besides the info that Mr_Kidney gave you, the social worker at dialysis center can help with specific questions. Even if doing dialysis at home, the center where you received training should be able to help with questions after looking cms.gov site.