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Social Security, Medicare, & Disability
U.S. Social Security Administration
Hotline: 1.800.772.1213
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)
Individuals with gynecologic cancer may be eligible for SSDI compensation. To qualify for those SSDI benefits, the individual must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that meets the strict definition of disability. In addition, there may be extra benefits for family members.
Disability Qualifications include the following:
“You must have a disability that affects your ability to work for a year or more or will result in death.”
“If you continue to work, your condition must also limit you from earning income above an amount we call “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). In 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month, or $2,590 if you’re considered blind under our rules. We use different rules to determine SGA if you're self-employed.”
Work History Qualifications include the following:
“Generally, you must have worked for at least 5 of the last 10 years to qualify for Disability. People under the age of 24 may not need to have worked as long.”
Extra Benefits for Family Members
If you’re the spouse, ex-spouse, or child of someone getting Disability, you may qualify for Family Benefits.
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
“Adults and children might be eligible for SSI if they have:
● Little or no income, and
● Little or no resources, and
● A disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older.”
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
1-800-633-4227
"Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease)."
“Some may automatically be able to get Medicare, others may need to actively sign up, it depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before you turn 65.”
Medicare Rights Center
Hotline: 800.333.4114
“A national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. If you are under 65 years of age with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis, you still may be eligible for Medicare based on disability after certain requirements are met.”
The Medicare Rights Center answers “questions about insurance choices, Medicare rights and protections, payment denials and appeals, complaints about care or treatment, and Medicare bills.”
https://www.medicarerights.org/
Health First Colorado Medicaid Program
1.800.221.3943
"Health First Colorado is a public health insurance for low-income Coloradans who qualify. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and Colorado state government and is administered by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing.
Every member of Health First Colorado has a primary care provider and belongs to a regional organization that helps connect you with the health care you need."
https://www.healthfirstcolorado.com/health-first-colorado/
Services by county (locations)
https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/contact-your-county
Colorado SHIP
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
888-696-7213
En Espanol, sin cargo 866-665-9668
SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIPs mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed healthcare benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent program funded by Federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry. SHIP counseling is FREE of charge.
Colorado SHIP has 17 locations at partners agencies around the state
https://doi.colorado.gov/insurance-products/health-insurance/senior-health-care-medicare
For more information on financial resources available for gynecologic cancer patients, visit the Foundation for Women's Cancer website:
https://foundationforwomenscancer.org/resources/financial-resources/
Connect for Health Colorado
855-752-6749
“The Health Insurance Marketplace for Coloradans: Connect for Health Colorado works to expand access, affordability and choice for individuals purchasing health insurance
throughout our state.” It was created in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.