So darn tired of the run around

My husband has been on workman's comp since he was 42 due to a brain injury. He is going to turn 65 soon. I am trying to get some answers about whether he goes on medicare or stays on the insurance he is on now with his workman's comp. I am also covered on that policy. I am 2 yrs younger than him so I am not eligible for medicare. I have been getting the run around from everyone. The people at the workman's comp office tell me to call BCBS. BCBS says the workman's comp people will decide. The people at workmman's comp even said it was our decision. Blaaah!!!! I have wasted so much time plus so much anxiety and I am worn out and haven't gotten anywhere. I don't have much time. His birthday is in early Oct. Plus each time I call I have to get him on the phone again for him to say yes you can speak to her. He is brain damaged. They have it there on their paperwork so why do I have to keep going through this.?!!

First of all let me say that I am sorry that you are going through all this, being my husbands caregiver I know exactly what you are going through.

As far as them asking his permission to talk to you, you need to get a Durable Power of Attorney for his financial affairs. Once you have that they will never have to ask his permission again. And especially if you are going to start dealing with social security/medicare. They will put it in his record so they won't need to talk to him.

It also covers you in case he would agree to something financially that you weren't aware of and he didn't know any better. They will not be able to hold you responsible for it. I'm not saying he could or would do something like that, just thinking in the future.

My husband among other things also has alzheimers, he's liable to say anything to someone on the phone and not realize it. I try to keep the phone out of his reach unless I know who he's talking to, makes life simplier LOL!

You do not need an attorny to get this paper. You can find the paperwork online, I'm not sure which state you live in, because each state is different but you just fill out the paper and he'll have to sign in front of a notary. It is a legal binding thing and people will have to go by it.

I hope this helps you some.

Sorry to hear about your problems. Here is a site that is recommended by a consumer advocate:

http://nolo.com/

It provides a lot of good information about legal topics, including power of attorney, wills, etc. Hope you can find some answers there.

My husband has alzheimers too. He doesn't answer the phone. If he does I never get the message. Life! Learn to live with it! Or crash and burn. I have crashed and burned a number of times!!!! But some situations would be a lot easier if there were people with information to give out instead of people who don't know themselves. It even feels like sometimes people are trying to be difficult! And of course the more aggatated I get and let it show in my voice the worse they get! I usually just say thanks and hang up when I know my impatience is going to show.