[Ima Pilgrim]

Hoping someone here has gone through this and what happened.
For 10 years, i've lived on SSI disability with Medicaid. Now, since i'll be turning 65y.o, I've begun receiving some money from SS and Medicare.

For several months, I get $98 from SSI and $693 from SS each month. I have Mississippi Medicaid and use Magnolia health plan(works with medicaid).

This week, Medicare informs me they will begin deducting $135.50 from the SS portion of my benifits every month!

I've spoken with the medicaid office and they seem clueless and i spoke with my SS office and they too seem to not know specifically what will happen with my particular case. They seem to think that Medicaid will pay my Medicare Part B premium and that if Medicare does indeed deduct that premium next month that I "should be reimbursed".

Does anyone here know for sure what will happen? I can barely live on the money i've been getting much less having my check reduced from now on.
Help? Thanks

[IowaFarmGal]

They cancelled my Iowa Medicaid when I turned 65 and started Medicare. I think it depends on the state how they do that. I couldn't afford my bills after they started taking out, but finally found a part time job. I think what they said about Medicaid paying the premiums for part B is right but I think it depends on your income and I don't know what your state guidelines are.

googled it for Mississippi

Qualifications: Individuals must be blind or disabled or age 65 or older. SSI recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid.

[unaluna]

Medicare Savings Programs | Medicare

Here is a website that describes it. I think you have to reapply every year. But yes, i believe medicaid will pay your medicare premium under this program. It looks like you qualify.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Ima Pilgrim: I'm sorry I don't know anything about the dilemma you're facing. But, since this is your first post here on PC, I thought I would at least welcome you. I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

[~Christina]

In my case I’m on SSDI and it basically put me into poverty level. I have QMB and it pays my monthly Medicare premium.

I’m not sure what will happen when I hit 65. I can’t imagine living off less than what I get now , it would be impossible to be honest.

I hope you get it all straightened out quickly

[sarahsweets]

Hey @Ima Pilgrim:
I do not know if this will help but it seems like since you were not automatically enrolled you should follow up with a call. Do not count on reimbursements from government.
How Medicaid works with Medicare - Medicare Interactive
Also, when I have had trouble with anything from SSID issues to medicare part D issues I have had great success calling social security-even better than going in person to the office. Be prepared to hold awhile though. One time I got through right away and another time it took half an hour. Put it on speaker phone and stay nearby while doing something else.
Social Security Administration/Customer service
1 (800) 772-1213

And here is a trick to navigating automatic systems and getting right to a person: If it requests you speak anything for them to route your call or dump you into auto-land say nonsense words. Here is what I mean:
" Please speak or say your SS number followed by the pound sign" Or " Please tell me what you are calling about"
Me" abbra cadabra"
" Sorry I could not understand you (or whatever the thing says) Please say your last name"
Me"hocus pocus"
I making the dialogue up but you get what I mean. Keep doing it as many times as they ask. if they ask you to enter a number using your phone type all zeros and hit the pound sign.. or whatever numbers. Eventually you will get transferred.

Originally Posted by Ima Pilgrim

Hoping someone here has gone through this and what happened.
For 10 years, i've lived on SSI disability with Medicaid. Now, since i'll be turning 65y.o, I've begun receiving some money from SS and Medicare.

For several months, I get $98 from SSI and $693 from SS each month. I have Mississippi Medicaid and use Magnolia health plan(works with medicaid).

This week, Medicare informs me they will begin deducting $135.50 from the SS portion of my benifits every month!

I've spoken with the medicaid office and they seem clueless and i spoke with my SS office and they too seem to not know specifically what will happen with my particular case. They seem to think that Medicaid will pay my Medicare Part B premium and that if Medicare does indeed deduct that premium next month that I "should be reimbursed".

Does anyone here know for sure what will happen? I can barely live on the money i've been getting much less having my check reduced from now on.
Help? Thanks

[HALLIEBETH87]

I got Medicaid for only a year before they
Switched me to Medicare. It was hard adjusting to the less amount of monthly income....

when this happened to me i called medicare and told them to cancel my part "B" and to not take the money out anymore. For me it worked because I dont have any need for what it provides and I havent had it now for over 10 years. I dont know your personal situation but if the state you are living in is not paying the part "B" premium then that is an option you can explore if it feels comfortable to you. Of course cover all bases and check thoroughly to make sure everything is as it should be. good luck!

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by invisible butterfly

when this happened to me i called medicare and told them to cancel my part "B" and to not take the money out anymore. For me it worked because I dont have any need for what it provides and I havent had it now for over 10 years. I dont know your personal situation but if the state you are living in is not paying the part "B" premium then that is an option you can explore if it feels comfortable to you. Of course cover all bases and check thoroughly to make sure everything is as it should be. good luck!

But part B covers Doctor appts. I’m assuming the OP has Doctors following their care.

Originally Posted by ~Christina

But part B covers Doctor appts. I’m assuming the OP has Doctors following their care.

Which is why I said if it is something she is comfortable with not that it is something she should definitely do. I was simply sharing my experience and what has worked for me. Thanks

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by invisible butterfly

Which is why I said if it is something she is comfortable with not that it is something she should definitely do. I was simply sharing my experience and what has worked for me. Thanks

Good information

[neverending]

I don't know about Mississippi but for me when I reapplied to medicaid they took over the medicare payments and backdated them a couple of months from before I reapplied. But I live in a different state. And I do qualify for medicaid. It doesn't matter that I was switched from disability to retirement. My soc sec check remained the same. I just reapplied for the medicaid.

[jaymoq]

Have you contacted Medicaid?

The money for Medicare is for Part B which are office visits and outpatient. If you are receiving Medicaid coverage still with SSI benefits, then hypothetically you can either cancel Part B and keep Part A Hospital for Medicare then use Medicaid for office visits or you can see if Medicaid will cover the part B premium costs for Medicare.

Medicaid is weird because it is often a state run program so things differ.

You may also want to call Medicare and see if they have any programs to help pay the premium. As I recall, there are some options out there depending on income.