Losing Medicaid in November

I don't have the energy to deal with this. My meds alone cost almost $1200 monthly without insurance, and I can't switch meds because my severe depression is very treatment-resistant, I wouldn't be able to afford others, either. I have too many bills because my so-far useless education took a bunch of loans, aside from other everyday bills. I don't know what I'll do.

I'm sorry this is happening. Why are you going to lose your Medicaid in November? This sounds sudden. Can you appeal?

Can your doctor help? Would it be possible to get your medication through a community program or community mental health center?

They say I make too much. I don't know how they figure that. I can appeal, but I don't have much to appeal about - it appears meds don't count in medical expenses.

At most I might be able to get a couple months' meds through vouchers... if any.

Let me get this straight, youre losing medicare because they say you take too much medicine? OdDo you take more than prescibed? None of this makes any sense.i think you need a lawyer.

@ likewater: It's Medicaid (not Medicare) and it is based on need, and there are income guidelines. If you make too much in income, you no longer qualify.

Taonuviel, I hope you will make them explain to you how they are arriving at their decision that you make too much.

I don't make enough for rent, utilities, car insurance, loan repayments, bills, and health insurance, I know that. I'm trying to work, but I'm afraid I won't be able to keep it up, I don't know, I'm so tired I don't have the energy and I really just want to be dead so how am I supposed to deal with extra trouble. Maybe they think my rent is too much, that I should be living lighter, but I can't just live any place alone, and roommates are so much stress. This place is safe, and nice, helps me feel more positive, some... and it's not like it's expensive. It's just not the cheapest apartment rate... the ones I saw for less didn't feel safe... and I had to move right away. I don't know, I'm rambling, I hate life.

I know a lot of the states for budgeting reasons have raised the level to qualify for medicaid. If you have illness that requires you to take such meds as listed above, if you have worked for a certain amount of time in last however many years perhaps you qualify for disability for SSDI instead. Something to check if not already.

In the meantime there is the Psych Central prescription discount card and there are some free medication programs either by contacting the manufacturers or local clinics that can help with prescriptions at a lower cost or for free depending on your income. Ask your pharmacist about these programs and your doctor; they may know of some too in your area. Others may have some suggestions about this as well. Start looking into it so you won't go without.

Also if you can, ask your physician to write/call in new prescriptions for 3 mos increments worth to get filled for each of your prescriptions to fill now, to tide you over in the upcoming months. Most can be filled for 3 mos at a time on Medicaid programs. This may help you right now and most doc offices are understanding of this. The disadvantage though is that the script from here on out will be in 3 mos increments and after this you may not be able to get 3 mos at time due to cost (alot of money at one time); however, some pharmacies will break it up for you to monthly, if you ask. Call to verify with the pharmacy, if you have a 3 mos script, is it an option to then get it monthy or does it have to be dispensed 3 mos.

Also, you mentioned loans; are they school loans that you might still be in school? There is also discounted meds available included in the your university fees to use the health center to get meds to continue your treatment.

There are some options to look into, it is a matter of doing some research to find them. Good luck!!!

Are you on SSDI? Normally on disability you have Medicaid for 2 years and you do lose it but it switches to Medicare. If your on on another state benefit that provides Medicaid and you ate struggling like you are try applying for disability, you'll get the Medicaid back for 2 more years then medicare. It also sounds like u could apply for other state grants.

No SSDI. I've been wondering lately if I can keep up working or need to go back on disability - I had been on it a few years ago.

Did you go back to work on the Ticket to Work program through Social Security? If it was only a few years ago, you may be in one of the earlier grace periods, and it is very easy to reinstate your benefits. Did you ever have Medicare while on SSDI or were you on SSI? I recently went back on SSDI after working for seven years and it was a simple Continuing Disability Review and they didn't take into account the fact that I worked. They look at your condition when you first went on disability and your condition now and if there isn't a significant improvement, you're approved. Most people are approved for their CDR, unlike the original application.

If it's been less than three years since your benefits were discontinued, you just need to call SS and let them know if you are unable to work. They will look at your income in that month and if it's under the earnings threshold (currently $1010 gross), they will pay your benefit for that month. Outside of that three year period, you can still apply for an Expedited Reinstatement, which is what I did. Your benefits begin immediately while they do your CDR. Your Medicare will also be reinstated without the usual two year waiting period.

Here's a link to the SS info:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/r...gbenefits.html

Again, this is for SSDI. I'm not sure how it works with SSI, but you may be eligible for SSDI since you've been working.

Also, are your student loans Federally guaranteed or are they private loans? If you have Federal student loans and become disabled, the government will write them off under a Total Conditional Disability Discharge. Call your loan servicer and ask them about it. As a minimum, you could probably get a forbearance or deferral. If you do file for a disability discharge, be sure to fill out the forms EXACTLY as they require. Do not let your doctor add any numerical diagnosis codes, make sure he puts your functional ability (GAF score) number, etc - I just went through this process and they were VERY particular about how it was filled out. I was approved and my student loan went away. It is conditional on your inability to work, so if you do go back to work at some point, they will need to be repaid, but until then, you're free and clear.

Going back on disability was not an easy decision, but I'm so glad I did.

I had it 06-07.
I'm managing to get my meds for now anyway...
I'm so tired of this job. I'm sitting in a closet because I don't know what to do with myself right now... there's no work to do, no place to be, and I feel so sad, oppressively depressed. I was feeling ok earlier today... now I feel tearful. I don't know how much longer I can handle this job.

I'm glad you're able to get your meds for now. That will help, I hope. As for SSDI, you are well within your grace period to go back on it. Which provision you would fall under depends on when you began working and when your benefits actually stopped. They can help you figure that out at Social Security, if you decide to look into it.

Is there any chance you could find a different job? I'm not sure what line of work you are in, and I know the economy is really tough right now, especially in Michigan...but is there somewhere else you could go? Can you take any time off for medical leave, just to give yourself some space to breathe and look at options?

I have no benefits and can't afford to not work, been looking for a different job for some months now.

I'm sorry this is happening. I too am losing my Medicaid, but I am off meds right now. I know that if you have any medical bills, they will subtract them from your income. And you may be able to get SSDI, and if they deny you, APPEAL or get a lawyer

I wish there was something more I could do...the day I ended up crying in a closet was the last day I worked. Literally. I had been struggling for a while and had even taken some time off to regroup. It wasn't enough and I finally lost it at work one day. I literally made it about 10 minutes into the day. My supervisor gave me crap about something and I snapped. She almost got a computer monitor thrown at her. I ended up sobbing in a supply room and then left for the day. I never went back. I called Social Security and got an application in for reinstatement. I had made too much that month for them to pay me benefits, but I qualified the next month. They started up my benefits right away at that point, even while they were making their decision, and I was approved within two months from when I applied. It meant my family had to eat food from the food bank and the utilities had to wait to be paid, but I stayed out of the hospital and, more importantly, stayed alive. I was in a field where you only called in sick if you were dead. I finally had to call in sick (permanently) before I ended up dead.

It was the best thing I ever could have done.

Sending hugs your way....