As one of the most publicized forms of cancer, prostate cancer commonly affects men that have reached the age of 65, which is also the age Americans become eligible for Medicate health insurance.
Like other cancers, the stage of development is the primary factor that determines the severity of symptoms.
Undetected prostate cancer that develops into a late stage medical condition can force workers off the job to deal with the results of a rigorous treatment regimen.
If you suffer from prostate cancer, what resources do you have for staying financially afloat during the health care crisis?
A federal government safety net program takes care of the financial stress caused by prostate cancer.
Getting Financial Help for Prostate Cancer
As a federal agency that handles Social Security retirement claims, the Social Security Administration (SSA) also provides American workers with financial relief when a debilitating illness like prostate cancer prevents them from working.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) covers the cost of paying medical bills, as well as daily living expenses such as gas and food. You should know the SSA applies a strict set of standards when reviewing SSDI applications.
The SSA refers to a resource called the Blue Book, which lists hundreds of medical conditions that qualify displaced America workers for financial assistance.
However, you have to do more than simply prove you underwent treatment for prostate cancer. You also have to demonstrate how the severe symptoms triggered by the disease made it impossible to hold down a full-time job.
Prostate cancer falls under section 13.0 of the Blue Book, which describes a large number of symptoms for malignant neoplastic diseases.
Medicare vs. SSDI Benefits
Since prostate cancer often affects men 65 years of age or older, the question of Medicare benefits comes into the financial picture for treating the disease.
Medicare is a comprehensive health insurance program, but it does not help workers make up for the income lost because of the inability to work.
On the other hand, SSDI financial assistance helps prostate cancer patients keep food on the table, as well as cover the cost of medical bills.
If you decide to switch over to Medicare because you went back to work, but still need help paying form medical expenses, you have to wait 24 months after receiving SSDI to qualify for Medicare health insurance.
While waiting for Medicare to start paying benefits, you can reach out to a former employer to tap into the company’s health insurance plan.
Back to Work Incentives
SSDI is more than a financial relief program.
The SSA also provides assistance for American workers that suffer from prostate cancer and want to return to work.
Ticket to Work is an SSA program that teaches prostate cancer patients new job skills.
Prostate cancer survivors that work physically demanding jobs typically no longer have the energy to maintain the same pace they maintained before a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) delivers financial assistance for prostate cancer patients when the time comes to conduct a job search.
Ask for a Free Case Evaluation
Submitting an application for SSDI takes a considerable amount of time because of the vast amount of documentation needed to prove your need for financial relief.
A state licensed Social Security attorney can conduct a free case evaluation to determine the likelihood the SSA approves your SSDI claim.
Your lawyer also will monitor the progress of your SSDI application to ensure it is reviewed in a timely manner.
