Received back pay etc.

[hessie28]

I waited so long for this to be resolved and in under 3 weeks it is almost done. Like a whirlwind. October 22nd hearing. October 28th approval letter. November 9th received back pay. So fast. I'm thankful it is happening so fast. I guess once they get in the computer it pushes everything through. They withheld almost double for attorney fees. He is under a cap of $5300.00. They said they would mail me the balance. They mentioned something about amending my tax returns for the last two years to help with the taxes. I guess I will see an accountant for help with all that. It is all so confusing. Then there is Medicare. No paperwork explaining any of it. They say a card is on the way to me. I don't know if I have to apply for the other. I looked online and there is just too much information.

I had to call Social Security twice. I forgot a question and called them a second time. Both representatives were excellent. Very nice. They gave me all info I requested. I was pleasantly surprised how nice and good they were. The second rep even went further then I expected to explain the taxes etc. He said they would probably tax the back pay 15 percent. I think that is also what Ex. mentioned.

Just wanted to share. I'm pulling for everyone else to win. A year ago I was on here a little depressed seeing that other people were winning. But, it will happen. Just keep fighting.

[Executor]

Originally Posted by hessie28

I waited so long for this to be resolved and in under 3 weeks it is almost done. Like a whirlwind. October 22nd hearing. October 28th approval letter. November 9th received back pay. So fast. I'm thankful it is happening so fast. I guess once they get in the computer it pushes everything through.

Congrats....You deserve it. Yes, once you hit the computer, it's all automated from there and it pushes everything along.

Originally Posted by hessie28

They mentioned something about amending my tax returns for the last two years to help with the taxes. I guess I will see an accountant for help with all that. It is all so confusing.

I guess technically you could file an amendment to the last couple years. However, there are special rules for lump sum payments that don't penalize you for the lump sum. Publication 915 explains everything very well:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf

I couldn't find 2009 for you, but it says the 2008 was updated on Jan 2009, so I guess it's the same one. You could call the IRS and make sure.

Originally Posted by hessie28

Then there is Medicare. No paperwork explaining any of it. They say a card is on the way to me. I don't know if I have to apply for the other. I looked online and there is just too much information.

Yes, you'll get your card in the mail....You're automatically eligible and it will have your medicare # on it...It's like your policy number. You just give it to your Doc's office and they file for you...There is a standard Medicare co-pay.....Something like $11, can't remember. I don't have to pay any co-pays because when you have two insurances, there are not co-pays. Once pays, then the other (spouse plan for example).

You will need to enroll in Part D, which is the prescription drug part, if it's needed (you may be covered by a spouse plan for example). I'm covered by my spouses plan, but I also enrolled in Part D....Figure you can't have enough coverage. Sometimes I use one or the other, depending on which has the lower copay &e tc.

You go to the medicare site and type in your list of regular meds, and it spits out the top couple plans that are the most cost effective for your particular situation. Be sure to look at the details, however. Some plans have meds on different tiers (co-pays), or require prior authorizations (PA)....or have qty limits (QL). Other plans do not. For example, I picked a plan that was more expensive, but didn't have a PA or QL on my particular meds.

Let me know if I can help further.

Regards,

Ex

[hessie28]

Originally Posted by Executor

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf

I couldn't find 2009 for you, but it says the 2008 was updated on Jan 2009, so I guess it's the same one. You could call the IRS and make sure.

Thanks Ex. I'll check it out.


Yes, you'll get your card in the mail....You're automatically eligible and it will have your medicare # on it...It's like your policy number. You just give it to your Doc's office and they file for you...There is a standard Medicare co-pay.....Something like $11, can't remember. I don't have to pay any co-pays because when you have two insurances, there are not co-pays. Once pays, then the other (spouse plan for example).

You will need to enroll in Part D, which is the prescription drug part, if it's needed (you may be covered by a spouse plan for example). I'm covered by my spouses plan, but I also enrolled in Part D....Figure you can't have enough coverage. Sometimes I use one or the other, depending on which has the lower copay &e tc.

You go to the medicare site and type in your list of regular meds, and it spits out the top couple plans that are the most cost effective for your particular situation. Be sure to look at the details, however. Some plans have meds on different tiers (co-pays), or require prior authorizations (PA)....or have qty limits (QL). Other plans do not. For example, I picked a plan that was more expensive, but didn't have a PA or QL on my particular meds.

I thought there was a Medicare you had to enroll in. It costs $97.00 per month that they deduct from your SS. Is that what I am enrolled into automatically? I thought the Hospitalization was automatic and you had to apply for the other.

I am covered under my husbands insurance. I wonder now does my insurance plan go after Medicare to pay for all my bills for the past two years as reimbursement? Just curious. I know with Worker's Comp they do that if you win. Hope not because it would be a nighmare. I will check out the rest. I am also under my husband's prescription plan. I was suppose to get all that for free as part of my early disability retirement package but it was more copays etc. My husband and I both worked for the State. So when my insurance ran out I popped on his. Then when I retired I would have had to switch everything back. Higher copays etc. So I just stayed under his. Hopefully it will be an easy transition. I know insurance companies sometimes have a clause that says you must take Medicare first. I have to read up on it.

Thanks for all your help Ex. I'm sure I will be picking your brain again.

[goldyfm]

Hessie, First, I am thrilled it is all coming together for you. Iknow what a relief it is to finally get the ball rolling.

As was explained to me, the Part A or hospitalization coverage is free (well we paid for that for years) and the Part B is for doctor's, labs, etc and mine is 96.40 per month. Medicare will be primary if you are disabled (I don't know about that if you just retire under regular SS) I do know this, that if you elect to take part B and you want it to start as of the effective date (after your waiting period), you would be responsible for any back premiums. You may want to do as I had to do, look up all the expenses for out of pocket for that period of time and see if it is cost effective to pay those premiums or just let it go. I would have had to pay out more for the back premiums than I had to pay out of pocket for the coverage I already had. ( I had very good coverage) but I do think they make some provision to spread out the payments. I kept my other independent coverage as it does pay the co-pays that Medicare requires and has dental and prescription coverage. I am not familiar with the Part D at all, so can not help you there.

I do hope that helps a little on the insurance matter. Your post made my day!

[hessie28]

Originally Posted by goldyfm

I do hope that helps a little on the insurance matter. Your post made my day!

Thanks Goldy. I hope it encourages everyone that if you keep fighting that it pays off.

My lawyer mentioned the back premiums for Medicare. I would just go forward now. I had excellent insurance. Only had copays. All my therapy and shots were out of network but they did not make me pay any balance.

I always see signs in Walgreens about Part D.

My early retirement was an Ordinary Disability Retirement. That just means that I left under ordinary disabled circumstances and not by getting disabled at work.

Thanks for the good words and support.