If you're on SSDI and declined medicare, how long did it take to correct your amounts [Archive]

BlueAtlas

07-03-2009, 07:19 PM

I had my hearing in January, got my official letter in March, got my backpay and am receiving my monthly payments. I sent in the letter declining medicare well before the deadline, but now, 4 months later, I haven't received reimbursement for what they had deducted from the backpay for it and my monthly amount hasn't been adjusted. Has anyone else done this? Did it take this long for SS to get their act together on it?

Thanks,
Emily

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BeHappy2

07-04-2009, 12:36 AM

Emily have you tried calling social security to ask if they received your medicare paper work ? i think i would also call your local social security office and see what they know.

Maybe on their end something has been overlooked so i would definately be calling the 1- 800 number and your local office.

Hope all is corrected soon for you.

Be Well
BeHappy2

BlueAtlas

07-04-2009, 01:39 PM

I was trying to avoid dealing with them for as long as possible. I was hoping someone here would tell me that it takes longer than this and that it's normal. My local office is the pits to deal with. If you call, the security guard, who has an attitude, answers the phone but won't answer any questions and just says you have to come in. I hadn't thought about calling the 800 number. I guess I'll do that on Monday.

Thanks,
Emily :)

BeHappy2

07-04-2009, 04:40 PM

Hi again Emily

I had just thought of this and thought i'd pass on to you. i know it has nothing to do with the medicare part you are asking about but could be a delay connection, not for sure though.

Any recent approved SSD will have up to a 6 month wait for their stimulus check. i do know this seems to be a long waiting but then again social security must be so swamped with catching up on all they have to process.

Oh that's so sad how your local office is handling phone calls. If they act rude as that, yes i agree i would sure give the 1-800 number a call on Monday just to remind them and see what is taking place with your medicare reimbursement. I realize it's no fun making these calls but what is a person to do. Hope they give you a quick response when you call.

BeHappy2

BlueAtlas

07-04-2009, 07:08 PM

Thanks, Behappy! I actually did get the stimulus check back in May. There's another issue I still need to clear up, too. They said in the award letter that my representative was not supposed to receive any payment. She had me sign the payment statement and filed it way back when she started my case. She's not a lawyer, so they don't pay her, I do, but it's the same payment that a lawyer would get. She filed a form with them to get it corrected and said I should get a corrected letter, but I never did. Of course, I paid her right away, as soon as my back pay came in. She deserved it!!! But I don't know if my taxes will be affected next year if I they don't have this correct in their system.

Some of the folks in the office here are right on the ball, but a lot of them are just out to lunch!

I appreciate your comments! Thanks!

Emily

mscat40

07-05-2009, 05:32 PM

I am a little confused about why you were denied medicare in the first place? I have a question for you. Had you waited the 24 months ? That is how long it takes before medicare kicks in for anyone on SSDI . I am sure you probably already know that?
So I am uncertain as to what the question is ? what amonts are you reffering to? my medicare was very simple when I got it. They gave me a card. Then They chose me a perscription drug plan. I also have medi cal , that is like medicad , so I have two health care coverges. mine was not a big deal at all. Medicare premiums , I do not have to pay them. I am considered low income .
So are you talking about your premiums?

BlueAtlas

07-05-2009, 06:09 PM

BeHappy2

07-06-2009, 01:16 AM

No, no, I apparently wasn't clear. I wasn't denied medicare. I chose to decline it because my husband has insurance that covers us both. So I didn't want to have to pay unnecessary premiums. They sent me a form to fill out and return if I didn't want medicare. I did that, and much sooner than their deadline, but they still haven't processed it.

Thanks! :)
Emily
Hi Emily, i hope this doesn't confuse you any but thought i'd pass this on to you.
Medicare Part A (hospital care) is Premium Free.
Some but not all secondary insurance will give you a premium discount if you do have any Medicare Parts, such as part A or B and such.

Thought i'd pass this on to you as if you had not already checked into your husbands insurance giving a premium discount if either of you have any medicare Part.
Every little bit of cost savings helps, Hope i explained clearly for you.

BeHappy2

BlueAtlas

07-07-2009, 09:56 AM

Thanks, BeHappy. That was very helpful and timely, because I received my medicare part A hospital care card in the mail yesterday! I looked at it and thought, oh my, they never got or processed the form I sent at all. I'm calling the 800 number today. Didn't want to call yesterday as Mondays are busier on their phone lines.

Blessings,
Emily

BeHappy2

07-07-2009, 07:07 PM

Your Welcome Emily,

Glad i could be of some help for you.

Be Well
BeHappy2

BlueAtlas

07-07-2009, 07:09 PM

The SS office told me that they DID receive the form declining medicare. They put it in the system as effective this coming August! Huh??? Why on earth would they do that? The woman I talked to didn't know.

The award letter clearly states that if you decline medicare, you will receive back any premiums that were withheld. They said they'd forward the issue to Baltimore and someone there would figure it out and mail me a response. Seems like just another stupid hoop to jump through that they were hoping I would ignore! I'm annoyed!

If it ain't one thing...

Emily