My husband will be getting medicare this august 2007: but with his health getting worse i was wondering who i?

could contact about getting his medicare now?

Sorry your husband is having health problems--he is lucky to have you to help him!

You don't say how old your husband is, however, since you said that he is eligible for Medicare in August, I am making an assumption that he is over the age of 60.

Medicare --and questions about Medicare benefits--including the new prescription drug benefit --can be confusing! There are "real people" not far from where you live who will listen and provide help to you and your husband as you sort out the red tape and possible options. These folks are at the Area Agency on Aging serving your county.

While your husband's eligiblilty of Medicare may be the key issue-- it is possible that there may be some alternative sources of assistance that may be of some help in your state. For example, if the costs of prescription drugs is a problem, Area Agency staff would be able to guide you to prescription assistance plans that may alieviate some of the financial stress in this area. If your household is income-eligible, there may be help available Medicaid--but be forewarned--the fianancial tests that are done to determine income eligibility are rigorous.

If caring for your husband at home is a problem--especially if you are working to maintain family income-- the Area Agency on Aging may be able to guide you to in-home help that is available on a "cost share" basis.

So, if you want to talk to "real people"--who aren't selling any particular Medicare insurance plan, who also will know sources of free or lower cost prescription medications for income-eligible people and who will listen and will do their best to help you and your husband assess other possible options, I would highly recommend that you connect with your local Area Agency on Aging. These groups are one of the best kept secrets around for older Americans and their families who are seeking information on Medicare and other kinds of consumer questions. This is a national network--and, like I said, they aren't selling anything! The staff there visit with seniors and family caregivers every day and will guide you to information you need to answer your question. Since they talk with seniors every day--and answer lots of questions--they will know the "scoop" on the Medicare nuances--and if they do not know, they will know who to call to get the information you need.

You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency serving you.

Area Agencies on Aging have resources and support services that help older Americans and their caregivers. When you call your local Area Agency on Aging, ask for the folks in "Information or Assistance" or those who help "Family Caregivers" You are likely to find other helpful information for you and your husband by making this call.

If you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know, too. Area Agencies on Aging don't have big budgets--their funding comes from the Older Americans Act and appropriations have not increased for years! Your voluntary financial contribution of any amount--which is absolutely not required to get the help you need in your situation--would certainly be appreciated.

Hope this helps. Good luck and best wishes to your husband and to you.

You do not want to do that. It will effect the full amount of what his social security payment will be if he waits till August when he is fully vested, as you will also have to file for him to receive his social security benefits in order to draw medicare. Talk to the social security office and see how much it would lower his payments before doing this. This could lower his monthly payments by as much as $200-$300 a month.

You don't give your husband's age. To get Medicare, he has to be 65, or have been eligible for monthly disability payments for 24 consecutive months. The only way to get Medicare earlier than that is if a person has end-stage renal disease.

If you have questions about Medicare, your best bet is to contact Social Security. Don't rely on information from anywhere else. Call 1-800-772-1213, or visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Good luck to you and your husband.

If your income allows, you may qualify for medicaid now and switch to medicare in august. I suggest you talk with the ssi office for advice. Insurance companies also have good information.
If you live in a state that has insurance that is 100% guaranteed (can't be turned down), it is expensive, but you have only four months. If you can swing it, it might be well worth it.
Also, you must have had some kind of insurance up to now. If he has had to leave his work, he can take Cobra for as much as 18 months. Talk to his or your employer, whichever insured him.

Best of luck with everything. It's tough.

It would be best as already advised to wait until Aug...
In the mean time you should be able to qaulify for medical care at a local free clinic...Once your husband is on medicare he won't qualify at all for free clinics.....Most will take a look at the amount of income for the household, but if your really low income it should be free....they can also help immensely with Rx's if he has alot of medicine needs...
Also if he is one alot of Rx's you should ask early about medicare part D for Rx coverages....They have multiple plans to choose from and I would advise you to contact the social services to see if there is anyone that can walk you through it.
From what I understand you can't pick a plan and 3 months later jump ship on it because it wasn't the right one....
Best Wishes on learning "the system"....

try the social security or the state progams in which you live or try mybenefitsplus/drday or call dunne at 1 770 509 5355. i think you and others will find that it will be worth your time..he can tell you of a insurance company thats just 9-12 dollars a month and the benefits you wont believe..it wont hurt to call right.. i hope your husband inproves quickly as well.

He won't be able to get medicare until he's 65. The only exceptions are when you've been permanently disabled, or have end stage renal disease. If he has been disabled for > 24 months, call the social security office, or visit www.medicare.gov

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