Posted on: April 25, 2013
If you are living with a disability, you are likely receiving on-going medical treatment for your condition. While it can be costly to see a doctor on a regular basis, it is important to attend all appointments and take any prescribed medications to help with the pain and limitations you may experience with your disability.
A detailed medical record can help improve your chances for receiving social security disability benefits, which may help with some of your medical bills. The cost of healthcare for disabled citizens is steadily rising, and you should know what to expect and how to get the money you need to help cover your expenses.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is designed to help you with the costs associated with your disability – prescriptions, therapy, medical equipment, and regular doctor visits. However, many people with disabilities find it difficult to work with the insurance companies to get all the coverage they need. Some people skip appointments, stop taking medication, or go without the equipment they need simply because they can’t afford it.
Many disabled people don’t have health insurance; finding the money to pay for medication and health care out-of-pocket can be difficult, with the average disabled person incurring over $11,000 per year in medical expenses, according to the CDC.
Employer-Sponsored Group Health Insurance
Many companies offer private group health insurance plans to their employees. However, many disabled workers do not qualify for coverage because they become unemployed, work part-time, or the employer simply does not offer the insurance coverage they need. Only 31% of workers with part-time jobs qualify for employer-sponsored insurance plans.
These group plans are also becoming less available as health care premiums increase with inflation. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the average annual group premium for a family is $15,745 – up from $12,100 in 2007 – with workers paying $4,316 out of pocket toward the cost of their coverage. An individual’s annual premium costs $5,615 on average, with the worker paying about $950 out of pocket.
Medicare and Medicaid
Government-funded insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid are designed to help disabled citizens who cannot afford health insurance. Unfortunately, it can be just as difficult to get the health care you need through Medicare or Medicaid as it is with private health insurance.
People receiving Medicare often complain about higher co-payments and forego necessary medical equipment, therapy, and medications. Medicare also has a 2-year waiting period for individuals under the age of 65 who become eligible for the program after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. People with disabilities who are covered by Medicaid often report difficulties in finding a doctor who will accept Medicaid payments. According to the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard, out-of-pocket costs for disabled individuals with these public health insurance providers total $1,200 or higher.
The cost of healthcare will continue to rise and it will become increasingly difficult to get the medical treatment you need for your disability. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can help you with the expenses, if you qualify. For assistance with filing a claim for disability benefits, contact the legal team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers.
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