Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
what do you do when your treatment costs more than (Original Post) onethatcares Jul 24 OP
I don't have an answer jmbar2 Jul 24 #1
If I understand your question correctly ... hedda_foil Jul 24 #2
thank you for that onethatcares Jul 24 #4
You're welcome. Glad to help. hedda_foil Jul 24 #5
Personally, I run away from the doctors. Arne Jul 24 #3
Agree about the medical social worker for some advice and also hedda_foil is correct about ... cliffside Jul 24 #6
In addition to what others have said Sparkly Jul 25 #7

jmbar2

(5,813 posts)
1. I don't have an answer
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 05:26 PM
Jul 24

but your question is terrifying. Start with a medical social worker? Good luck to you.

hedda_foil

(16,459 posts)
2. If I understand your question correctly ...
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 05:39 PM
Jul 24

I think you may be confusing max out of pocket with the maximum amount your policy will pay. If that's the case, you can rest easy. Max out of pocket means that your policy will now cover the percentage of your medical expenses that you have been covering yourself. In other words, If you normally have had pay 20% of your medical costs out of your own pocket, while your insurance has picked up the remaining 80%, your policy will now cover 100% of covered expenses for the rest of the year. The Affordable Care Act prohibited policy maximums (ie., they would only pay a set amount annually or for your lifetime)l so it's very, very, very unlikely that you have one, whether you have regular health insurance or Medicare Advantage.

onethatcares

(16,502 posts)
4. thank you for that
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 05:48 PM
Jul 24

this is my wifes 2nd time around with the disease and the numbers I'm seeing are so insane they can never be paid and I don't want to lose the house. I tried to talk her into a medicare trust years ago but she wanted nothing to do with that, go figure.

hedda_foil

(16,459 posts)
5. You're welcome. Glad to help.
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 06:03 PM
Jul 24

The Affordable Care Act also made it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Arne

(3,328 posts)
3. Personally, I run away from the doctors.
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 05:41 PM
Jul 24

But they got me anyway, now I have a hole in
my stomach where my guts used to be.

cliffside

(321 posts)
6. Agree about the medical social worker for some advice and also hedda_foil is correct about ...
Wed Jul 24, 2024, 10:24 PM
Jul 24

the out of pocket maximum with private insurance, the problem is that it resets each year and can quickly drain savings

The hospital should have social worker on staff so I would start there, if your wife is eligible for Medicare or Medicare disability that will help. Also ask about the possibility of "Dually Eligible" Criteria is determined by the state but the social worker can help!


https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/medicare_beneficiaries_dual_eligibles_at_a_glance.pdf


People who have both Medicare & Medicaid

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicaid

"People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you’re a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.

If you're dually eligible, Medicare covers your prescription drugs. You’ll automatically be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan that will cover your drug costs instead of Medicaid. Medicaid may still cover some drugs that Medicare doesn’t cover.

You can still pick how you want to get your Medicare coverage: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (Part C). Check your Medicare coverage options... "







Sparkly

(24,253 posts)
7. In addition to what others have said
Thu Jul 25, 2024, 11:36 PM
Jul 25

you might qualify for disability or unemployment benefits?

Not sure... (Social Security first said I met standards for disability, but didn't provide benefits.)

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»what do you do when your ...