While not totally smooth, it was fast and easy. I went to one of the many Medicare offices and filled out the paperwork. Lines were short. I had one hitch. Simply because it was cheaper, I had bought a round trip plane ticket. I had to bring in the expired return ticket to prove I wasn't just visiting. I lived in Sydney for ten years after that. I got my Medicare card within weeks and could go to most clinics for free, because my income was below the threshold. Australia has a multi tiered system. If one makes over a set amount, then there is a copayment. I didn't, so all my doctors visits were free. It helped later on that I had a concession card, but that's another story.
In 2006, I was granted Disability in Australia, and I applied for U.S. disability as well. After a few weeks, I was granted Aussie disability. It took until 2009 for me to finally get SSDI. I was theoretically retroactively eligible for U.S. Medicare, but was not informed of this. This is where the U.S, healthcare struggle began.
I didn't worry about it while in Oz, because I had excellent free care even on weekends and only once, did I have to go to an emergency room, because the GP couldn't get blood tests done right away and the hospital could.
I arrived back in the US in October 2012. Remember, this is after 10 years in Oz. I called about getting medical coverage once I arrived back in California. I assumed I was only eligible for MediCal. I was told that I had been eligible for Medicare since 2007. I was also informed that I couldn't get it right away and would have to apply in December and only get coverage in July, but that there was obviously a mistake made by Social Security, and that I could appeal this and get covered sooner. I appealed in writing and via phone. To this date, I have not heard anything about that appeal, but everyone I spoke to at Social Security said there was obviously a mistake on their part.
So I finally got coverage in July. I still don't have a shrink which is the doctor who would be looking after my disability. Oy gevalt!
I got coverage in July and have slowly been getting treated for various medical issues. The doctors have been good, but I never know if I'm going to have to pay, or get a bill in the post.
Enter MediCal. They will reimburse for the amount of money taken out of my SSDI payment to cover Medicare as well as fully cover many medications, and gap between what Medicare pays and the full bill.
I applied for MediCal early in 2013. I did so via phone and post. I thought by May I had sent in everything required, but when I checked back after getting Medicare coverage and seeing my monthly income shrink dramatically, they said I was denied because they didn't have some form. I was told that a supervisor would call me back. This never happened. I called them back and was told that it would be taken care of and to expect notification in the post the following week. Nothing arrived. Yesterday, I went in to their office, arriving before noon. I was given a dehumanizing number by the department of "human" assistance. After waiting around for hours, I was told that my phone interview was no longer usable, and that I needed a new interview. I was told this was to be at 2pm. 2pm passed and I was not called. 3 also passed and finally, close to 4, I got to actually see someone. She was nice and had me fill out some additional paperwork. My case is again pending. I didn't get out of there until about 16:45. I was told to send or bring in some new bank statements, and I have since printed all of that up and put it in an envelope ready to go out tomorrow. Hopefully there will not be further drama.
Major difference, eh? I miss Sydney, but maybe I can make things work here now that I have medical coverage. I still need a good shrink. My Aussie one has said he'll help me find one who has a similar methodology. We shall see.
