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Patient Assistance Programs (help w/meds costs, etc.)

Needymeds.  A place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who cannot afford medicines. Needymeds is an information service, not a program.

Children With Disabilities:  The Children With Disabilities Web site offers families, service providers, and other interested individuals information about advocacy, education, employment, health, housing, recreation, technical assistance, and transportation covering a broad array of developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities

I was told by a  social worker/therapist who has been my son's case worker the past several hospitalizations that a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder IS a qualifying medical condition under SSI and Medicaid. She said that it's a pain to get it going, and that I could rest assured we would get rejected the first time. She said to keep trying tho - that it should be a "no brainer" - Bipolar definitely is a qualifying illness.  Social Security website: www.ssa.gov/

All the way on the left side of the main website page, there's a heading "Benefits Information".

Click on "Disability"

Then on the second screen in the middle it tells about how there are two programs. The one you're interested in is called "Supplemental Security Income".

All the way on the left of this screen is a category: "Applying for Benefits"

Click on the first subcategory "How to Apply".

It will bring you to a screen called "Applying for Benefits" with all the information you need to get you started (including information on the nearest field office). There's even a "screening tool" to confirm whether or not you qualify for benefits.

There are only two forms you need to fill out at THIS point before you meet with a field agent. If you look all the way over to the right on that same screen (the "Applying for Benefits" screen) there's a button "Go Directly to forms" It will take you to yet another screen and if you scroll down, there are the two forms. One is "Disability Report Form-Adult-SSA336 and the other is "Release of Information Forms".

Completing these forms, gathering medical records (basically records from a doctor stating the diagnosis and hospitalizations, if any), and calling on the phone to set an appointment at the office nearest you to meet with someone will get the ball rolling. When you meet to talk about the application, you can ask about the concurrent Medicaid coverage.

For minors, as far as the medicaid allowability goes, from what I understand they base it on the kid - not the parents' income. They WILL look to see what the parent's insurance covers, but it will fill in the gaps and pick up where the insurance coverage maxes out or falls short (this is my VERY unknowledgable knowledge - heresay from talking to a children's insurance advocacy group)...

For More Information:

SSN:  Special Needs Network

SSA online

SSA - Sign up for Newsletter

Medicaire - Help & Facts