My Transplant Orientation is Scheduled and fiance question

[BASSMAN]

A special Thank You to Okaral for your help.

I am scheduled for my orientation for a transplant.  Above all the first paragraph is "Be sure to bring your insurance information with you.  Ha, ha!

What kind of questions should I ask at this initial meeting?  I will make a list myself but I was wanting to know what to expect.  I will meet with the financial counselor and then a transplant coordinator.  That is about all the letter says.

If you have had a preemptive transplant,  did you get assistance with financing it from social security?  I have insurance but I was wondering about the remaining amount the insurance doesn't pay.


Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank You! in advance!

[okarol]

You should check into applying for Medicare now.



The effective date of ESRD Medicare is dependent upon the type of treatment the
individual is receiving:

1. Hemodialysis
Medicare is effective the fourth month of treatment, i.e. if hemodialysis is begun
in May, Medicare becomes effective August 1.
2. Home/Self Dialysis
Medicare is effective the first month of treatment if:
•The individual takes part in a training program through a Medicare
certified training facility,
•Home/Self training is begun within the first three months of treatment and
•The individual is expected to finish home training and self-dialyze at
home
3. Transplant
Medicare is effective:
•The month the individual is admitted to a Medicare certified hospital for a
kidney transplant or for health care needed prior to a transplant if the
transplant takes place that same month or within the following two
months
•Two months prior to transplant if the transplant is delayed more than 2
months after you are admitted to the hospital in anticipation of transplant
or related health services

[BASSMAN]

Thanks again okaral!

I will bring this up with the financial counselor at the meeting. 

Should I , or can I apply online or do I need to go to a social security office?

[okarol]

I am pretty sure you just apply online, be sure to mention End Stage Renal Failure, and if they ask about dialysis explain the situation.

More info you might need later:

If you find a living donor you are legally allowed to reimburse them for travel, lodging and time off work related to the transplant. If you cannot afford this and are financially eligible the donor may be paid by groups that offer assistance.

Living Donor Assistance Center provides reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses incurred towards living organ donation http://www.livingdonorassistance.org
Here's a direct link to the TRIO/United Airlines program for living donor air fare: http://www.trioweb.org/communications/travelprogram.shtml

If you do not financially qualify for assistance then ask about fund raising to help cover these costs. More info here http://www.transplantfund.org/about/

[paris]

I applied online.  Be very detailed in the application. I got a call within two days of applying. They needed papers from the doctors. It was all very simple.  I got approval in three months (with a years back pay, they determined I was eligible before I applied)  Let me know if I can be of any help.  I think I got better service online than going to SS office in person.        I am excited that you are starting the transplant journey.   

[BASSMAN]

Thanks Paris!  I am excited, frightened and have a whole host of emotions going on right now,  but I think this is the route I should take.

At this point my goal is to get a preemptive transplant and continue to work,  but I will apply for medicare.  I have desk a job and should I get a transplant,  I should have no problem continuing to work. 

[MissyKew]

If you have any other ailments besides kidney disease, make sure you list them including depression, obesity, hi bp, migraines....everything.  although end stage disease is supposed to be an automatic on onto SS and medicare, it helps to stack the deck in your favor, so to speak.

[BASSMAN]

I hear you MissyKew.

Actually, I have nothing else wrong that I know of so I hope that in itself works in my favor and makes me a good candidate for a transplant.  If I end up on dialysis and work is too much for me to bare,  I will definitely apply for SSDI.  I have paid into it on every paycheck that I have ever received since I started working at 16 years old.