pentek128
03-29-2003, 07:50 PM
My MIL is facing lung cancer treatment (chemo/radiation) and surgery. The only insurance she has is Medicare. Her only income is SSecurity.
Does anyone know how Medicare works...do some providers ever accept just the Medicare as payment or do they always balance bill?
Do you know of any other programs that help people in her situation that I could contact?
Any help is so much appreciated as I am so worried about her that I can barely find the brain power to concentrate on this....
Does anyone know how Medicare works...do some providers ever accept just the Medicare as payment or do they always balance bill?
Do you know of any other programs that help people in her situation that I could contact?
Any help is so much appreciated as I am so worried about her that I can barely find the brain power to concentrate on this....
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IvysWindstorm
04-06-2003, 10:42 AM
It is illegal for the doctor or hospital to write off the deductible or 20% that Medicare does not pay. Medicare will take legal action against the provider if they try to do so.
Does she qualify for Medicaid? This isn't a good thing if she owns her own home. Do a goodgle search on Medicaid and see if she qualifies.
It is still possible to get a Medicare Supplement policy, but it sounds like the premiums may be a problem.
I'm not certain about this, but I believe she is only required by law to pay something like $10 per months to each provider to protect herself my medical collections activity. However, there will be a lot of providers. Hospital, surgeon, pathologist, anesthesiologist, etc....
Is she a member of a church? I would sit down and talk to the pastor and see if there is some help there.
Does she qualify for Medicaid? This isn't a good thing if she owns her own home. Do a goodgle search on Medicaid and see if she qualifies.
It is still possible to get a Medicare Supplement policy, but it sounds like the premiums may be a problem.
I'm not certain about this, but I believe she is only required by law to pay something like $10 per months to each provider to protect herself my medical collections activity. However, there will be a lot of providers. Hospital, surgeon, pathologist, anesthesiologist, etc....
Is she a member of a church? I would sit down and talk to the pastor and see if there is some help there.
pookieiscool
06-20-2003, 01:30 AM
Living in my state of Iowa, there is a program called SHIIP - Senior Health Insurance Information Program - they can help you find answers to the important questions you have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues. Created in 1990 by the State of Iowa Insurance Division, SHIIP has helped thousands of people on Medicare sort through confusing health insurance information.
They'll help you answer questions such as:
I’m retiring. What kind of health insurance do I need?
I can’t make sense of my Medicare statements and medical bills. What do I do next?
I’ve been considering long term care insurance, but is it a good option for me?
Do I need a Medicare supplement policy?
Maybe there is a SHIIP representative that you can contact in your state.
Susie
They'll help you answer questions such as:
I’m retiring. What kind of health insurance do I need?
I can’t make sense of my Medicare statements and medical bills. What do I do next?
I’ve been considering long term care insurance, but is it a good option for me?
Do I need a Medicare supplement policy?
Maybe there is a SHIIP representative that you can contact in your state.
Susie