
The links below are to government sites.

<b>Social Security Disability</b>
What you need to do is to look at the current form that SS uses to determine disability.  Look at the questions they ask. Most of this is common sense. I don't have the current form but the concept is unchanged. 

Disability is about the impact of disease on functioning. Chronic fatigue; chronic and/or severe pain; Chronic nausea; Unable to concentrate; mobility impaired; Prognosis is that things will not get better; you are unable to function because of anxiety, worries;  and supply documentation.  

Notes to your doctor on your inability to function normally become part of your medical record and document your difficulties.  Notes to Social Security do not.  Start writing progress reports to your doctor on what you cannot.

Stage IV LMS or metastatic LMS is immediate grounds for disability.  It is not about finances.

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Disability Direct: &&url

HOW DISABILITY DECISIONS ARE MADE
To allow or disallow -- that is the question.  How do we decide who is  disabled for Social Security purposes and who is not? It's a complex process, but the answers can be found in the "Blue Book."  The "Blue Book" provides disability definitions and medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims.  A lot of factors go into making a medical decision, and we invite you to check out all the guidelines here.  
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<b>MEDICARE</b>
Medicare is the same in every state. What is different is the type of medigap insurance that may be available. That gap can be pretty significant. The Federal Government has standardized Medigap plans, so that Plan B in one state is exactly the same as Plan B in any state. However two companies in the same state can offer the same plan for very different rates.

And remember: Medicare does not cover prescriptions. 
The criteria for medicare are either:

    Age 65: U.S. citizens are automatically covered. (Actually the law was changed and it is up to a few months more than age 65 on a transitional scale they set up).

    Disability: You apply to Social Security for disability status. Once that is granted, medicare comes with it two years after the date of disability. The good news is that disability can be retroactive. 

The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare
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THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
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Medicare Consumer Information
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<b>Medicaid</b>
Medicaid is not a state program, but is a Federal program that is administered by state governments.  It is usually operated as a part of the state welfare system but it is controlled by Federal Regulations.  If the requirements are met honestly (therein lies a problem), eligibility generally requires that you have few assets and little income.  You are generally allowed to own a house and car.

Medicaid is different in every state.  The criterion for Medicaid is poverty-low income. One goes to the State office in their area and applies.

THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
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December 2001
doctordee
