if you are on ssi are you on medicaid or medicare,and you have cancer.?

Question

my husband is on ssi ,and has cancer he has tenncare but it wont pay for his pain meds.they say he should be on medicaid or medicare how do i get him on this? we live in tennessee and heis 54 years old with stage 4 mouth cancer i need help to pay for pain patches a box of 5 is 100.00 cant afford this much longersavings about gone and i had to quit my job which i worked in the nursery but it payed the bills.im just having a really hard time right now.need all the answers i can get thanks

Answer 1

I'm sorry about your husband's cancer. I know it's hard to see him in pain. TennCare is indeed Tennessee's version on Medicaid, and I know it's been drastically cut recently. To be on Medicare your husband would have to be over 65 or a SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) beneficiary. It may be necessary for your husband's physician to submit a TAR (Treatment Authorization Request) to get TennCare payment authorized for medications not in their formulary.

I am a benefits advocate, but not in your state. I don't want to lead you astray, so found this organization which I recommend you contact:

TennCare Advocacy Program
http://www.tenncareadvocacy.org/

The TennCare Advocacy Program works for TennCare enrollees, or those eligible for TennCare, who are experiencing difficulty accessing necessary medical care. Our goal for this web site is to make information available to TennCare enrollees and those working on their behalf. It is our hope that the information on this web site, whether developed by us or by others and made available here, will be helpful to all who need assistance navigating the TennCare system.

Good luck, and please send a message to me through this site if you have any further questions.

Alana T.

Answer 2

My son, now 5 yrs old, has been on SSI and Medicaid since his cancer diagnosis in 2005. To get Medicaid or Medicare you need to call your local Department of Human Services. They will require you to come down and fill out paperwork and it may take a while for things to get processed. Also talk with a social worker where your husband is being treated. They should be able to help you.

Answer 3

I work for a long term care program in another state. I would go to Department of Social Services or Department of Human services and ask if there is any type of program such as the one i work for to help you out. Not only will a long term care program get you medicaid but it can also set you up with a home care allowance progam which would pay you to take care of your husband at home. You can possibly also get a nurse to come in the home and monitor how he is doing.

Answer 4

Tenncare is what medicaid is called in the state of Tennessee. Unless he is on SSA disability he can't get Medicare.

Answer 5

i'm on SSI what you do is go to your local welfare office and ask them if they have the title 19 medical application there maybe a small co/payment for meds but it won't be as high as your paying now and this program for medical covers pain medications

Answer 6

If you have SSI you HAVE MEDICAID they go hand in hand just go to your local madicaid office and talk to them about it you will prolly need proof he gets ssi and they will get ya a card and he will be good to go.

Answer 7

he should be on medicaid go to your ssi office and apply.

Answer 8

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE PATCHES - ASK THE DRUGGIST - THEY WILL GIVE THEM TO YOU FOR FREE IF YOU CAN PROVE YOU CANNOT AFFORD THEM