Is there a supplemental medical ins for veterans on dissability?
My brother is 57 and receiving VA benefits. He is being treated for Neruoma, cancer, is wheelchair bound, and needs medical treatment from the private sector since the military is unable to handle everything with his situation. I am looking for affordable medical insurance to help defray the cost of out of pocket expenses. I handle all of his finances and he is on a fixed income. Please advise me on how to go about getting a supplemental insurance that will work with us and the VA even though he has a preexisting illness.Thank you kindly for any assistance.
Vickie Arango
Expert Answer
Your brother may have options for supplementing his VA medical treatment. I'm asssuming that his VA benefits are service-connected disability compensation (due to an injury or illness he sustained while on active duty). He may also be eligible for SSDi (Social Security Disability). Contact your local Social Security office to find out if he is eligible. This can provide him with additional income. If he gets SSDi (which will take several months), he will be eligible for Medicare after a 24 month waiting period. This does not solve his immediate issue.
Since he is low-income and disabled, he may be eligible for Medicaid. If he qualifies for SSi (Supplemental Security income), he will qualify for Medicaid as well. When you contact your local Social Security office, they can tell you if he is eligible for SSi.