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Leigh:

If she's 63, early retirement but not disabled (deemed disabled by Social Security), she doesn't qualify for Medicare. If she is receiving disability from Social Security, she is eligible for Medicare after she has been disabled (according to them) for 24 months. It's not possible to buy Medicare before you are eligible.

The cost for Medicare Part A is free if you paid in enough quarters (most people have). If not, the cost is anywhere from $254.00 to $461 per month. The premium for Part B is $96.40 unless the recipient's income is very high.

Leigh asks: Are there resources out there to help weed through the Medicare/Medicaid maze? Cost estimates with Medicare or Medicaid coverage?

www.cmseldercare.com That's my favorite. :)

Thank you Ellie Mae, after I posted a did a quick search and realized 65 is the minimum age and no, she not disabled. This got me thinking about my two relatives in their late 50's, early 60's that got laid off this past year and can't find work. These two guys, and their wives are uninsured (doubt if they could afford the COBRA which also has a limited time frame of availability) at a time when they will most likely need health care. Hope the stress doesn't lead them to a MI or stroke:O( God help them.

I looked up medicaid for the aged in washington state; I believe that eligibility begins at age 65 as well, but couldn't easily find it. That's why your mother goes to free clinics. Hopefully she's applied for help with her medications, usually free clinics will give that information to patients. Good luck.

What is worrying me is that the doc at the free clinic is recommending a scope of the GI track and if it costs more than $200 she ain't doing it. I have a feeling that once she finally gets this taken care of the damage has been done and it'll be 1) very expensive to treat 2) unable to treat.

Thanks for your help.

I work at the hospital and once a pt appears to be racking up the bills a social worker will step in and assist with getting the patient on Medicaid if not insured but I guess by then the pt can be deemed disabled thus easier to qualify.

Many states will pay for hospitalization through their medicaid program (but only for inpatient procedures, not op surgery or therapies) or non-profit hospitals will offer financial assistance after medicaid is denied. Unfortunately, inpatient procedures such as a scope is only going to be done through the ER if the patient's condition is unstable or possibly life-threatening. Always a loophole.

Ask a social worker in the hospital where you work how the system works; if she doesn't know (it happens) she'll know who does.

You say that family members can help a little but she's too proud? How about calling the clinic and finding out how you can (as a family) pay for her scope and remain anonymous. Ya never know, they might go for it.

Also, she should apply for disability if she's truly disabled. it might get her Medicare a few months earlier and could be a little more money.