# Qualifying for Medicaid. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2018, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820 "2018-02-14T11:26:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/1 "2018-02-14T11:26:40Z")
It’s been suggested to me that I start a new thread so that some of our Medicaid experts can chime in. For background see this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=843266](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=843266) Specifically, starting at post #313:  [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=20785925](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=20785925) ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/2 "2018-02-14T18:49:37Z")
If I understand correctly, you are running out of covered days in a rehab facility. They have helped you fill out a medicaid application, but you don’t know how or when this will help you. Do I have that right? Do you have to pay all the bills yourself first, for example? Who qualifies and how? I did have one other thought. Is it worth talking to a social security disability attorney? It sounds like this is a lifetime issue. You might want to apply and see if you can qualify for aid (and medicare) that way. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/3 "2018-02-14T19:37:59Z")
I was rejected for Medicaid for having too much money. They say it’s too much, but I’ll have to dig into my savings more than I’m comfortable with. I’ve been given a number to call to appeal to my insurance. We’ll see how that goes. I have thought about SSI. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/4 "2018-02-14T21:42:02Z")
When I applied to SSDI, I used an attorney (and anecdotal evidence suggests that you always should). It took 2-3 months, so it can move relatively quickly. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/5 "2018-02-14T21:44:52Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t this prolonged hospitalization the result of medical error? Perhaps talk to your lawyer? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/6 "2018-02-14T22:17:35Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t this prolonged hospitalization the result of medical error? Perhaps talk to your lawyer? I’m also pursuing that. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/7 "2018-02-14T22:22:15Z")
Doing some Googling it appears that SSDI is not means tested, at least not in the same way that SSI would be. Is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/8 "2018-02-14T23:36:25Z")
Correct. SS Disability is not means tested, except to determine that you are not working. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/9 "2018-02-15T10:08:21Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Correct. SS Disability is not means tested, except to determine that you are not working. Can I get it retroactively for the time I’ve spent in hospitals/rehabs? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/10 "2018-02-15T14:52:47Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > When I applied to SSDI, I used an attorney (and anecdotal evidence suggests that you always should). It took 2-3 months, so it can move relatively quickly. maybe it can, I have heard that many (most?) people are denied routinely and have to appeal. sounds like it’s worth doing David, good luck. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/11 "2018-02-15T15:54:08Z")
So I could spend a lot of money on an attorney and still be denied. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/12 "2018-02-15T16:04:22Z")
I’m confused. Why aren’t the insurance company, for the hospital that made this mistake, covering ALL of your expenses? Especially your rehab? I mean, why aren’t they at the ready to cover EVERY expense? They almost killed you! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/13 "2018-02-15T17:00:27Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I’m confused. > > Why aren’t the insurance company, for the hospital that made this mistake, covering ALL of your expenses? Especially your rehab? > > I mean, why aren’t they at the ready to cover EVERY expense? They almost killed you! Because they’re greedy assholes who are in business to make money rather than to pay for necessary treatment. I called Blue Cross’ appeal line and was told by a customer service drone that I can’t appeal. What the hell is the appeal line for? They said the benefit is for 30 days per calendar year. It should be based on need, not some arbitrary time limit! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/14 "2018-02-15T20:22:19Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Can I get it retroactively for the time I’ve spent in hospitals/rehabs? Yes, it’s paid back to the beginning of the disability. > [@davidm](#): > > So I could spend a lot of money on an attorney and still be denied. No, the money is paid out of your award and the amount is capped by law. I believe the number of people who get denied and have to appeal is much lower with an attorney than without. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/15 "2018-02-15T20:28:35Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Yes, it’s paid back to the beginning of the disability. > > No, the money is paid out of your award and the amount is capped by law. > > I believe the number of people who get denied and have to appeal is much lower with an attorney than without. Okay. I just have to find a good SSDI attorney in my area ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/16 "2018-02-15T20:32:07Z")
I would reiterate - talk to your lawyer. It might be the case that the hospital’s insurance company will pay for all this, but it won’t be soon. Your lawyer should be able to advise you on applying for SSDI, including if they deny you. (Anecdotally, I believe they often do, the first time you apply, but I have also heard that appeals are often successful). > [@](#): > > So I could spend a lot of money on an attorney and still be denied. Possibly, unless your lawyer is willing to work on contingency, but that will mean he gets 25-30% of the final settlement if there is one and nothing if there isn’t one. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/17 "2018-02-15T20:35:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I would reiterate - talk to your lawyer. It might be the case that the hospital’s insurance company will pay for all this, but it won’t be soon. Your lawyer should be able to advise you on applying for SSDI, including if they deny you. (Anecdotally, I believe they often do, the first time you apply, but I have also heard that appeals are often successful). Possibly, unless your lawyer is willing to work on contingency, but that will mean he gets 25-30% of the final settlement if there is one and nothing if there isn’t one. > > Regards, > Shodan No, see **Sunny Daze** ’s post 14 above. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/18 "2018-02-15T20:55:09Z")
Do lawyers really take on SSDI cases on contingency? It seems like the potential payoff would be too small to make it worth the risk. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/19 "2018-02-16T03:05:03Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > So I could spend a lot of money on an attorney and still be denied. No. An SSDI attorney will review your eligibility, and will not take the case if he doesn’t think you will be accepted. His fee will be a percentage of your accumulated back-benefits up to a year, which is a strong incentive for him to drag his feet for a year while your back pay builds up. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820/20 "2018-02-16T07:13:58Z")
I write software. Going into a workplace 40 hours a week won’t be doable for a while if ever. It’s difficult to find 40 hours of remote work every week. I’m able to find an occasional remote job. Can I collect the SSDI for the slack periods, or is it all or nothing? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qualifying-for-medicaid/808820.md?page=2)