Joseph Matthews - Social Security, Medicare and Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits

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19th Edition

Social Security,
Medicare &
Government Pensions

Get the Most Out of Your
Retirement & Medical Benefits

Attorney Joseph L. Matthews

ISSN: 2163-6419 (print)

ISSN: 2325-3800 (online)

ISBN: 978-1-4133-1971-2 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4133-1972-9 (epub ebook)

This book covers only United States law, unless it specifically states otherwise.

Copyright 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 by Joseph L. Matthews. All rights reserved. The NOLO trademark is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Printed in the U.S.A.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission. Reproduction prohibitions do not apply to the forms contained in this product when reproduced for personal use. For information on bulk purchases or corporate premium sales, please contact the Special Sales Department. Call 800-955-4775 or write to Nolo, 950 Parker Street, Berkeley, California 94710.

Please note

We believe accurate, plain-English legal information should help you solve many of your own legal problems. But this text is not a substitute for personalized advice from a knowledgeable lawyer. If you want the help of a trained professionaland well always point out situations in which we think thats a good ideaconsult an attorney licensed to practice in your state.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Barbara Kate Repa for her considerable and thoughtful input to the content and structure of this book, and for her thorough editorial work on various drafts of the manuscript.

Later editions owe a large measure of thanks to Spencer Sherman, whose ideas for improvements to the book were extremely helpful, and to Ilona Bray, who guided several incarnations into existence with clarity and graciousness. And thanks to Marcia Stewart and Cathy Caputo, who brought fresh eyes, intelligence, and enthusiasm to the major revisions needed for recent editions of the book. Also, a large measure of credit to Stan Jacobsen, whose thorough ongoing research helps keep this book current and comprehensive.

Special thanks go to the National Council of Senior Citizens in Washington, DC, for many helpful suggestions on the original edition of the book, and to Bruce Campbell, Karen Fuller, and Sue Schwab of the Health Care Financing Administration office in San Francisco for their assistance in sorting out the many state variations in Medicaid.

Special thanks also to the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and Legal Assistance for Seniors office in Oakland, California, as much for their example in tirelessly serving the interests of low-income seniors as for their suggestions for improving this book.

Finally, for the most recent edition, a large measure of gratitude goes to Beth Laurence, who not only did assiduous work as an editor but also brought her considerable knowledge and experience to bear on the materials in the book pertaining to disability benefits, and improved them considerably.

About the Author

Joseph L. Matthews has been an attorney since 1971. From 1975 to 1977 he taught at the law school of the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall). Mr. Matthews is a senior editor at www.caring.com and also the author of Long-Term Care: How to Plan & Pay for It, How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim, and The Lawsuit Survival Guide, all published by Nolo.

Introduction:
Your Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions Companion

Are you approaching retirement, or are you disabled? Do you help support someone who is?

If so, you may be facing a series of problems for which you are unprepared: getting the most retirement and pension income and obtaining the broadest medical coverage you can afford. People in their retirement years may have access to a wide variety of programs to help with financial support and medical care. But many people are unaware of the extent of such programs, or are unable to wade through the programs rules and regulations, and so do not receive all the benefits they could.

For people who are or soon will be on fixed incomes, an unnecessary loss of benefits can cause critical problems. This book is intended to help you get all the benefits to which you are entitled: Social Security (both retirement and disability based), Supplemental Security Income, veterans benefits, and civil service benefits.

Most people want the broadest possible medical coverage they can afford, because a serious medical problem can cost a fortune. Almost everyone is aware that Medicare is available, but few people understand how it works and what it does and does not cover. This book carefully, completely, and in plain language explains Medicare rules and regulations. It also explains how the holes in Medicare can be filled by medigap private insurance, Medicare Advantage health plans, Medicaid, and veterans benefits.

Each chapter in this book explains a different benefit program or set of laws designed to protect the rights of older Americans. It explains how each particular program works, and how it may relate to the other programs discussed in the book. Not all of these benefits will apply to you. But, even if you dont think you are eligible for a particular benefit, take a look at the general requirements discussed in that chapter. You may be surprised to find that a program, or some part of it, applies to you in ways you had not previously realized. Pay special attention to explanations of how your income, or your participation in one benefit program, might affect your rights in another program.