Since the Affordable Care Act has begun to be implemented, some families have noticed big changes in terms of health care. Not all these changes are good. One such story that has been circulating concerns a Michigan family of four, each member of which has serious health issues. The mother and the two children suffer with a bone disease called ostogenesis imperfecta, and the father has cerebral palsy. Because of the changes made by the new health care law, the family is set to pay $8,000 more per year for medical coverage.
The reason for the increased cost was that the family’s old policy was cancelled by Blue Cross/Blue Shield due to the new requirements of the health care law, which forced them to purchase an independent policy for their children at four times the cost.
According to the parents, the major financial stress is not so much the premiums, but the out-of-pocket expenses. Under their new plan, those expenses have dramatically increased. Fortunately, the parents were able to take advantage of coverage through Social Security disability payments as well as Medicare.
Those who qualify for Social Security disability are automatically enrolled in Medicare. That said, SSDI beneficiaries are unable to receive payments from Medicare for two years after the date of approval. Those who qualify for Supplemental Security Income, however, are covered under Medicaid and are automatically enrolled.
It is important for Social Security disability beneficiaries to understand their benefits through Medicare. Those who have questions about Medicare coverage should contact the Social Security Administration.
Source: Washington Times, “Michigan family suffering with bone disease gets $8K insurance hike: ‘We trusted the president’,” Douglas Ernst, January 21, 2014.