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Debra - I took an early retirement 8 years ago and worked only on a part-time basis until 1998. I started drawing SSDI in 2000. Last year I was eligible for Medicare. I contacted Human Resources and found out my former employer would continue medical coverage until age 65. When I called the Medicare Hotline I was told that I had the option to opt out due to other coverage without jeopardizing future coverage at age 65. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debra Sutton" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 4:44 PM Subject: SSDI Well I have decided to finally swallow the big pill called PRIDE, and start the application process for SSDI. I don't know why that's been such a big deal - it's not like I'm doing anything wrong. I do have parkinson's after all. It's not like I'm going to wake up in the morning and it's going to be gone. I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with before I start. 1) Right now i have great health benefits through my husband's job ( thank you God!). Once I get approved for SSDI - you know, in a year or two, - will I still be able to use his medical benefits for doctor's visits and Rx. I think the answer is yes but I figured I better check to be sure. 2) After you have been on SSDI for i believe 24 months, you are eligible for Medicare. Does that mean you have to go on Medicare? I mean, Medicare might be advantageous in some cases but if it doesn't cover prescription drugs, that could be really bad. I don't see any advantage to getting SSDI and then having to spend the whole thing on my meds. How exactly does Medicare work with SSDI? I just don't want to make the wrong decision about applying and end up worse off that I am now, in the future. At the same time, my family could use some money since my energy is zapped and my brain is muddled which makes working impossible. Any advice?? Debra ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn