Still fighting SSA on Medicare reinstatement...any advice?

[cattlekid]

Hello everyone!

So some might recall that I had a transplant in April of 2013. 

I had paid premiums for Medicare Part B (I am still working) beginning in July of 2012.  Medicare was secondary until October 1, 2013. 

After transplant (which Medicare didn't pay for, since my employer insurance was primary and paid 100% of my transplant claims) I falsely assumed that I could cancel Medicare and stopped paying my Part B premiums.  Now this has caught up with me and my employer insurance is refusing to pay my claims stating that Medicare should be paying first.

I have been working with the SSA to reinstate my Medicare Part B.  I first called back in November and got the necessary paperwork.  I walked the paperwork in to my local SSA office on December 11 along with a check for the amount that I was in arrears.  They cashed my check in January.  At that time, I called the national SSA office and spoke with a representative who told me that it can take up to eight weeks to process the reinstatement and that I should wait until February 11 to call again. 

I called today and got a different representative.  She indicated that the local office should have processed the reinstatement in 30 days and that all she could do was send a message to the local office and it would take up to 30 days for them to respond.  I asked her if it would be better for me to go into the local office myself and she indicated that would be acceptable and a better route to go if I needed answers sooner. 

I will be going there on Monday.  Does anyone with any knowledge of how the SSA office works know what the proper procedure for this reinstatement SHOULD be?  I feel like this will be a constant run around that I want to nip in the bud.  I have no problem going to my local Congressional Representative if I need to do so. 

In the meantime, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with the medical bills that are starting to pile up?  I guess I can pay small amounts on these bills if necessary.  Should I be contacting all of the providers and letting them know of the snafu?  I hate having these bills over my head but I am loathe to pay them in their entirety as I am sure it will be another nightmare to get the money back when the Medicare situation is straightened out. 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[VintageVera]

I've never been in your exact situation; however as someone on dialysis I have MANY medical bills. You are definitely in a SNAFU and if you start paying even a small amount the medical billing offices will expect you to continue. However, if you DON'T pay it will affect your credit in the long run. I think just call each billing office and tell them you are working it out with Medicare and need more time. Hope this helps a little.

[appleface]

Sorry for you trouble. I think I am in the same boat  although different problems.
 The person I talked with from  ssa did not know their job duty. Last time I went to there, the guy basically told me they just collect forms and when I told him that ssa decides Medicare awards, he said no. He said Medicare decides. What are joke. Gladly I prepared some document from internet saying ssa decides Medicare awards, he was so mad and told me he did not need me to tell his job duty. My tax money !
 I think you should request to speak with the supervisor of ssa hopefully the supervisor knows  his or hers job duty.   Hopefully  he or she can contact the proper person for you.

Best regards

[jeannea]

Your best shot is to contact your US Representative. I got my Medicare issue fixed in 2 weeks with his help. Usually the website for your congressman has a form to report issues. Write it out and ask for help.