@A myRAteam Member
I started the process by looking at Medicare Advantage Plans, as they typically cover more than straight Medicare. Ask the insurance person at your Rheumatologist office, which one covers the most (coverage of our meds is so important).
My daughter helped me fill everything out on the social security website, then we made an appointment to take in back up paperwork. It takes one year (if you are approved without hiccups, which I was at 57) for Social Securty Disability to kick in, they do pay a lump sum retro active. In the meanwhile look to see what the requirements are for your State Disability, this usually kicks in faster and last for that year that it takes SSDI to kick in. Each state varies on their requirements. My Rheumatologist filled out all the required paperwork, but in California I was still required to see a State appointed doctor, as well as a doctor appointed by social security.
Medicare kicks in the same time as your SSDI and Medicaid depends on your approval.
I know some of our members have had to hire attorneys to help them thru the process. Just remember the attorney's fees are negotiable, they get paid from the lump sum retro pay, before you receive it.
I hope this helps.

Mentioned Users

A myRAtea...

I'm in NC. I applied at age 52. Was denied first time. I retained an attorney. After we gathered more info. I went to a disability herring with a disability judge and was granted disability. I received back pay from the first time I applied to that day of approval. I was issued Medicare A at the time and then enrolled in Medicare B later. Medicaid is based only on our income. You have to apply for that separately. I used to do insurance in a medical office. Hope this helps.😊

Hi Melissa - I just went through this and bucket up on the Disability. I applied by myself on line here in Florida the honest way lots of papers work to go through online. Put it this way it was a disgusting display.

It takes like a year for the entire process but your claim starts the day/date that you submitted it. Meaning if it takes a year or more before to deny or approve you your money will be from that start date. Then they will send you to some whacko place to see a doctor. I went through that process a year ago and ended up only seeing a Medical Assistant and they gave me an eye test! Yes that’s right an FING eye test which I have nothing wrong with my eyes. Never saw a doctor in which that is what is supposed to happen.

You get assigned a Case Manager through your state. And it’s important to keep in contact with them for any notes for your file. After my disgusting display of what the state did was after my eye test 3 days later was denied and I made sure my case worker wrote down what happened along with my swear words! If you got approved your date that you filed which will be 9-12 months later you will get money from that date and Medicaid only then when your reach retirement you apply or Medicare. Once you apply you will get emails from places that offer to help you get disability so SAVE those emails.

So after my denial I waited like 4 months or so looked through my emails from companies that help with disability and I hired an disability advocate which means they will do everything for you and only take 20% of your money at the end of the entire process ONLY if approved and the 20% is only a 1 time thing then they say good luck.

My suggestion is DON’T do this yourself like I did find a advocacy company to do it for you. I live in Florida and I am using Disability Experts of Florida which is owned by a lawyer and they did everything for me and I am still going through this right now. They become your person on I email my Case Manager there on every doctor visit, bloodwork visits EVERY visit on anything they are building my case again and it will take a year or more but it’s worth it as if the state denies me again they request a appointment to go in front of a judge because every state will deny you the first round and they don’t want to approve you at all is their end game. But for me if the advocacy company takes 20% at the end until your approved it is worth it. They don’t take money every month going forward it’s a one time thing.

I wish you luck but google advocacy companies for disability and you will find one to help you as after going through it the right way by myself was not worth it as it’s upsetting and gives you more anxiety.

PS - I asked my RA doctor to write a letter to my advocacy company on my behalf.

Has anyone ever written to their congressman when they have an issue with state or federal agencies? They are supposed to intercede on our behalf on these type matters. I know I wrote 2 letters for my friends concerning getting benefits for their ailing parent who was denied. Sometimes it just takes going over the heads of drones to get something done. Layers cost money. We already pay taxes for those representatives for their help.

Hello Melissa,good luck disability seems to hard to get sometimes I got my medicare first and maybe about 2yrs.later I got my disability.sending you love,enjoy your weekend 😉 ❤