I am on Medicare and SS disability. According to the rules of Medicare and SS: after transplant Medicare stops at the 3 year mark and SS disability stops at the 1 year mark. I am by self and and just turned 60 years old. So it's not like I am going to get a job with full medical benefits until retirement age. I would be lucky to get a part time job at Arby's with ageism so rampant. Even with 30 years experience in corporate IT.
Can anyone help?
While on disability, you can work. I was able to extend my disability since I have another disease entity. I was also lucky to keep my medicare for additional years since I am now working. What was the reason for your transplant? Any complications from the transplant? Any psyche issues which may prolong the Medicare coverage. Just a thought. Prayer for you to work this out with your doctor and social worker
I know you can get X amount of money while on disability. I have not received a transplant because of what I stated before. No psyche issues. I don't know how old you are, but.. me being 60 and a woman I can't see me getting any type of job except for fast food... maybe something else, but again, if I get a transplant I would lose my disability after 1 year and medical insurance after 3 years. What I will need is a GUARANTEED full time job with full benefits until I "retire". I absolutely do not see that happening. Getting laid off/downsizing/fired for no reason, etc., etc.. Dr. and SW have nothing to do with it....
Can you use the time before benefits end to learn some new job skills? Consider contacting your Stste Vocationsl Rehabitstion agency to get them to help you with this endeavor. You would be amazed at the wide variety of job opportunities that are available after some training. Wishing you the best. Keep us posted.
My benefits will not end because I do not have a transplant. I have way too many complications being on dialysis and I feel like I practically live in the hospital. CURRENTLY there is no way I could hold down a job or commit myself to any type of schedule, my body cannot even commit to the dialysis center schedule. That MAY change if I get a transplant, I MAY be able to hold down a job or commit to something that has a schedule. No clue. That's great to "get other skills". I am a 60 year old woman. So I get other skills, than I will have no "experience" in that field. Someone is going to actually hire me? I think not. If I do get a job I am going to get full medical benefits and keep that job until I retire (so I can get back on Medicare)? I think not. Then I have to start looking for another job when I'm 62..63? We live in US. That does not happen any more. We are thrown away now after turning 40-45 in the US, ESPECIALLY women.
Sorry for all your troubles; however, most State Vocational Rehabilation agencies help with job placement and ongoing support. Lots of people do not view 60 years old as over the hill. And, Lots of businesses view older employees as more reliable and dependable. Anyway, I'm sure its scary and frustrating and the best of luck and good wishes for you as you travel that road. BTW in my State if Vocational Rehabilation here finds you unemployable after working with you, then you are eligible for SS disability.
You need to do a search on ageism in US, I think you will better understand where I am coming from.
I'm 88 going on 89 soon. I only stopped working 3 years ago so I know a littles about age and the labor force. Ever since I stopped working, I've had one medical problem after another. Wish I didnt stop. Anyhow, hope you find answers to your .problems.
Working keeps us engaged and active.
That is so true. Since I retired 3 years ago. I keep busy with friends and do all the household things that I needed to do for years. And, I love it. There are days when my energy lags and on those days I push thru some ot the fatigue and just do some simple tasks. Sigmund Freud said what makes people happy and stable was "liebe und arbeit" translated means "love and work." Peace.
Do not agree with comments regarding retraining, at all.
I suggest nursing, esp, Registered Nurse.
Job market GREAT right now.
Lots of full-time, well-paid positions...with
Benefits.
Definitely check out any support, direction
Voc-Rehab can give you.
Why not go to school?
Why not take classes on line?
The kids do.
It does happen in US--full scholarship.
Full grants. Minimal loan....It happened
For me.
Definitely use your time on Disability
Wisely to prepare for future.
Be positive.
Be proactive...for yourself!
I know these options are available
As I continue in the career for many
Years.
You CAN get hired.
I am older than you; my age has never
Been an impediment to securing ANY
Job.
Working as much, and MORE than
I want to be @63!
Not experiencing age issues.
Critical nursing shortage.
Read up on nurse jobs, hospitals and
Covid. I know this, first hand.
Employers are looking for candidates
With solid skills to fill open positions.
Nope. Not "thrown away". Active.
Useful, making money.
Thanks but I do not want to become a nurse. As I said, I cannot do anything right now while I'm on disability due to the many medical complications and having way too many hospital stays throughout any given year. Just as an example I have had 4 hospital stays in the last 3 months, one stay lasted 1 week. If I get a transplant disability will last for one year. Sounds like you have already been working in that field for many years.... Congrats.. I think you are correct about the "medical field" though.
Some employers especially in this job market prefer older more experienced workers who will stay with their company. Don't sell yourself too short. Working is good for the soul because it gives us a since of independence and we are engaging with others. As stated in other answers, the State Vocational Rehab Center in your state can help you if you really want to or need to work.
The "Immuno Bill" which was passed in Congress last December extends Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs for post transplant after the 3 year mark for those who are uninsured. It goes in effect I think 2023 or 2024. I'm not sure how that applies to you if you are Medicare aged anyways but you can read more about the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 at : kidney.org/news/national-ki.... And if you want the nitty-gritty of it all, here is the text of the actual bill: congress.gov/bill/116th-con...
Another things I wanted to add: there are plenty of free Medicare counseling services across the U.S. Have you connected with any of them? The tricky part I found is finding someone who understands how Medicare supports those with Kidney Failure. In California a program called HICAP is one of many services. hicap.org/ I would do a google search for one in your area. Best wishes!
You are now 60. You can choose to retire as early as age 62 but you will get reduced social security income. Once you retire you will be eligible for medicare. If you are low income you may qualify for SSI and medicaid. You can also work if you choose, for a certain amount of hours before it affects your social security. You need to research your options on SSA.gov, call them or try to make an in person appointment to discuss how this will change and/or effect your social security and medicare.
I am already on Medicare. I am talking about getting a transplant and the hurdles that Medicare and SS (I am on SSDI) put in front of me after a transplant. IOW I already know the effect to Medicare and SS. Thanks
Are you on the transplant list? Do you have a donor? If not it will take awhile maybe years to find one or get high enough on the list to get a transplant. Check out this website medicareinteractive.org You can receive medicare for 12 months after you stop dialysis. You will be eligible for medicare for up to 36 months after a successful transplant. By then you will be old enough to retire and you will then receive medicare with official retirement.
I know where you’re coming from. I am 54 with 35 years in the IT world and I know that once I get my kidney I’ll be pushing 60 and in the same boat you’re in. I am fortunate because I saved up quite a bit of money so that even if my Medicare runs out and I get the bare minimum from SSDI I should be able to survive, although not as great as I was leaving before I had to quit working and start dialysis. I can’t offer you a whole Lotta help other than to say I feel for you completely and understand exactly what you’re going through. If you want to talk about what I’ve navigated through so far with the Medicare system hit me up.
OH thank GAWD! Someone gets it! Ageism runs rampant.. there have be a couple of folks that have replied about that, I wholeheartedly think they are in the vast minority. but, hey good for them. They certainly have never been in the IT world.. I'll bet you and I can get together and tell some war stories that are real whoppers! I too had money saved up but because being on dialysis cut my "income" to just under 1/3 of my typical salary, say bub-bye to THAT money after 11 years... Believe it or not, I cannot qualify for ANY low income help because I make too much money! Is that funny or what (she says facetiously)?? I am by my self so it's just 'lil old me. After a transplant SSDI stops after 1 year and Medicare stops after 3 years (as per my original post). Hopefully you can get on you hubbies health plan from work after that. That is if he even has one. I have been on Medicare and SSDI for 11 years now. Time flies when you are having SO much fun! So, being on dialysis for 11 years I'm pretty sure I've been through almost everything (I say everything, not almost). my address is c h e c k m a n 9 9 9 9 at the google thing. Let's have some coffee talk! Heavy on the caffeine man!
My hubby retired 11 years before I did because he is 11 years older than I am it’s funny because everyone in my family retires at age 55 but I got them all beat by retiring at 54 1/2 lol although mine was certainly not the way I had intended (Which was incredibly rich and living on a tropical island rather than hooked up to a bunch of tubes to which my life depends on). Will be writing you at your Google address shortly!
I understand your situation. I’m 57. I got a second transplant 11 months ago. I was on SSDI for 2 years prior. Nobody wants to hire an older person with health issues. I have 23 years IT experience. I’m currently getting my CDL because there is so much need for drivers. I think it’s the only decent job I can get. Next month I find out if my SSDI will run out. In my mind it shouldn’t but there’s no guarantee. I almost didn’t want a transplant because I knew it would be too hard to get a job after being sick for so long. 12 months of SSDI isn’t enough for people who have been on disability for kidney disease. Ageism is real. Discrimination against sick people is real. Put my 57 year old, second transplant against a 45 year old healthy person and see who gets hired.
how to get used to drain pain?
kidney transplant support
I knew it would happen one day, how do I be not so strong? I feel like I have to hide my real feeling now.
Overwhelming Fatigue 
