Insurance and Medicare

Helpful information related to insurance issues including Medicare updates. 

Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits

This information in this article applies only to the government SSDI program. It does not cover disability programs through other sources.

 

 

The process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to health issues is not a simple one and just a statement from your physician will not be sufficient. In an effort to facilitate the application process, the Social Security agency encourages you to visit their website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm and then to click of the tab "Disability." Follow the directions from there. 

 

 

 

Contacting Congress

Many decisions about issues that greatly affect the healthcare treatment you receive should be made by congress; however, without pressure from "the home folks" this will not happen. The time for you to be involved is now and the best way to make your voice heard and is by contacting your elected representatives. 

Is Lymphedema a Preexisting Condition?

When changing jobs and/or health insurance coverage, a major concern for those with lymphedema is whether or not lymphedema will be managed as a preexisting condition and therefore there will be a wait before benefits of the new plan become effective.

The Federal law “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” commonly known as HIPAA, clearly states limits on the circumstances under which a preexisting condition exclusion may be applied.

Submitting Documentation to Medicare

This article, by Bob Weiss, contains helpful tips on what documentation should be submitted with a Medicare claim and appeal to maximize chances for a favorable determination.