Dad's Medicare Cancelled in error-is this Common?

Hi Bodhi!  Thanks so much for posting in Caring's groups.  Welcome!

I'd love to talk to you more about this.  I worked for a Medicare education program for five years and perhaps I can help, even though I've never heard of a case like yours. 

It sounds like he's talking to all the right people, taking all the right steps and is being forced to take further action. 

Am I understanding correctly that he had Medicare coverage before your mom passed away?  For how long has he been without coverage? 

The only reasons I can think of Medicare coverage being cancelled is failure to pay Part B premiums, failured to provide documentation of continued disability and death.  Could your dad have falled into any of those categories?

Being totally honest, dealing with Social Security and Medicare systems can be really frustrating.  My immediate advice to you is to stick with this!  I feel like loads of folks find themselves needing to appeal decisions and end up giving up because they just run out of steam.  Tell your dad to hang in there.  And you hang in here and keep us updated.  I'm sure your story will help others get through similar issues!

Hey Thanks Missy,    He did have coverage both A& B I think as well as some sort of supplemental from his job.  I'll have to ask him the details. 

I can't figure out what the issue is and its a little hard because I live a plane ride away.  He's been getting warning letters for months and replying etc. and then in February got a notice saying he was terminated and got a denial on one of his meds.

Do you have more information or an article about the continued disability and death questions.   It all started around paperwork when mom died.

I'm just not sure how to help. I'm wondering if I need to jump on a plane and go through it all with him if he's open to that. I guess I'll just ask him.   Its just such a ridiculous nightmare and he's lucky in that he is in good condition mostly.  

Its kind of the last thing a guy in his 70's needs besides mourning his love.

What a nightmare. And what rotten timing for your stepdad. I'm so sorry you both are dealing with this.

I just searched for a reference about the termination of Medicare coverage and couldn't come up with anything. If I had an eye-rolling smiley face I'd insert it here. Navigating the Medicare websites is really confusing, even for someone who has a pretty good grasp on the system.

Here's what I would suggest. Go to this website [medicare.gov]  and scroll down to "Step 2". Click on "Organizations" on the left side. From the pull down menu labeled "Organization" choose SHIP - State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Then choose the state your dad lives in and click "View Results". This program is an awesome one that is designed only to help educate folks about Medicare. Call them.

While you could tell them your dad's story, it'll be difficult for them to help because they'll likely have some really specific questions you may or may not have the answer too. Instead, I would ask them for the number to the Ombudsman Program in your dad's area. That program http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11173.pdf [medicare.gov]  can assign someone to work with your dad, personally, to figure this out. It is their job to help him understand what's going on and work towards resolution. And if your dad is open to this, it would probably helpful for you to be in on this meeting. Caring from a distance can be so diffiult, so perhaps they can just use a speaker phone. This will help you get looped in on what the deal is, as well as express to the Ombudsman that you are authorized to speak with him/her about your dad's case.

I'm really hopeful this will help! If you're still stuck, let me know and I'll see if I can come up with anything else.

I'm on it!  Thanks