I remember living in a county that was doing away with its county health plan. People who had been relying heavily on the county’s plan were freaking out because they no longer would have the ability to get the care they needed. This fear was magnified for those who applied for Social Security Disability benefits. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you bear the burden of proving you are disabled. So, you need medical care.
Some cities, counties and even states have their own health care systems that provide medical coverage for their uninsured and under-insured residents. Sadly enough, in this economy, many of those municipalities are having to do away with their programs. So it should be no surprise that some people find themselves rotating from city to county to state in order to find a place that has a program that best serves their needs.
This health care migration isn’t limited just to people moving from state to state. A number of citizens have found themselves leaving the United States heading to places like Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, or Costa Rica because the cost of healthcare in those countries is significantly lower. When you factor in surgeries, medication, office visits and all of the other things associated with healthcare, some people just can’t afford the high cost of long term care in America.
It’s sad that when people are trying to obtain disability benefits, they are forced to muddle through a healthcare system that makes it difficult for them to receive the necessary treatment. Unfortunately, when it comes to getting disability benefits, it DOES matter where you live.
