Medicare Blog

failed knee surgery as a disability when qualifying for imigrant medicare eligibility

by Joe Miller Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

If you did not recover from knee replacement surgery, your knee impairment may qualify for benefits under the listings. The phrase “major weight-bearing joint” basically means a joint you need to stand and walk. Knees, hips, and ankles, all fall into the category of a major weight-bearing joint. Most joint surgeries do not result in disability.

Full Answer

Can I file a disability claim after knee replacement surgery?

When you file a disability claim after knee replacement surgery, Social Security will generally assume that the outcome of your surgery will be positive and that you'll be out of work for six months at most. As a result, Social Security denies many knee replacement claims for not meeting the 12-month duration requirement.

Do you qualify for Social Security disability benefits with knee pain?

We put a lot of weight on our knees every day, and when a knee disability makes walking or standing painful or impossible, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. With the help of a Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability representative, you may file a claim to seek the benefits to which you are entitled.

Does the VA make mistakes when evaluating knee disability claims?

VA disability claims involving knee disabilities are very common, and the mistakes the VA can make when evaluating knee claims are even more common. Knee ratings can be tricky because there are so many different factors to consider, and there are multiple different ratings available.

What is a 100% disability rating for knee replacement surgery?

Total Knee Replacements: If your knee disability becomes so severe that a total knee replacement is required you will automatically receive a temporary 100% rating for one year post surgery. After that one year period, the knee will be rated according to the severity of any remaining problems.

Is a knee injury considered a disability?

If your joint pain or immobility is severe enough to meet or equal the listing, you will be considered disabled. The listing for major dysfunction of a joint is 1.02. It has 2 parts: A and B. You will meet the listing and be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you meet either of the two parts.

How does an immigrant qualify for Medicare?

First, to qualify for Medicare, an immigrant must be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. For example, if your immigrant parent has a green card and has lived in the U.S. at least five years, he or she may qualify for Medicare. Undocumented immigrants are not able to get Medicare.

What qualifies you for a knee replacement?

To qualify for a knee replacement, you need to meet two major requirements. One is that you have a significant amount of cartilage loss. This is usual evaluated by taking X-rays of the knee while you are in a standing position. The loss of cartilage is seen as narrowing of the space between the knee bones.

Can a non citizen qualify for Medicare?

Specifically, you will qualify for Medicare even if you are not a U.S. citizen if you qualify to receive or currently receive Social Security retirement benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB), or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In any of these cases, you will qualify for premium-free Part A.

Who is not eligible for Medicare Australia?

If you live overseas for more than 12 months, you'll no longer be enrolled in Medicare. You also won't be able to use a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. You'll need to enrol in Medicare again when you move back to Australia. You don't need to visit a service centre.

Can green card holder qualify for Medicare?

Can a green card holder get Medicare? To qualify for Medicare for permanent residents, a person must be a U.S. citizen, or legal permanent resident who is past their 65th birthday. Additionally, the person or their spouse must have worked in the U.S. and paid Medicare taxes for a minimum of 40 quarters.

What percent disability is a knee?

The most common rating VA assigns for limitation of flexion of the knee is 10 percent, although the highest rating a veteran can receive is 30 percent.

Can you claim disability for knee replacement?

If knee replacement surgery has affected your life, disability benefits may be an option. However, not everyone who applies for Social Security Disability for a knee replacement is awarded benefits. Sufficient medical evidence is required in order to have a chance at getting a disability claim approved.

What is the disability rating for a total knee replacement?

The rating criteria ranges from 100 percent to 30 percent disabling. The 30 percent rating is the minimum rating for a knee replacement, meaning if you had a knee replacement and it is service-connected, you will be rated at least at 30 percent.

Which visas are eligible for Medicare?

What Visas are eligible for Medicare?Holders of the new Regional Provisional visas (491 visa and 494 visa) will be eligible for Medicare.a permanent visa holder (including returning residents)More items...

Can illegal immigrants get Medicaid?

PRWORA draws a distinction between benefits—most significantly Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, and Medicaid—accessible to citizens, but not to noncitizens, including lawfully present immigrants.

How long do you have to live in the US to get Medicare?

five yearsYou qualify for full Medicare benefits if: You are a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident who has lived in the United States for at least five years and. You are receiving Social Security or railroad retirement benefits or have worked long enough to be eligible for those benefits but are not yet collecting them.

What are the complications of knee replacement surgery?

Complications from total or partial knee replacement surgery can include chronic pain, loss of range of motion, locking/clicking, and stiffness. Most patients with chronic knee problems who go through surgery do benefit from reduced symptoms, but sometimes the improvement is not enough to return to work.

How long can you be out of work after knee replacement?

When you file a disability claim after knee replacement surgery, Social Security will generally assume that the outcome of your surgery will be positive and that you will be out of work for six months at most. As a result, Social Security denies many knee replacement claims since they don't meet the 12-month duration requirement.

How long does it take for a disability to be reviewed?

If you are approved for benefits, you may be labeled "expected to improve," and your case will likely be reviewed within a year or two after your benefits start .

How long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery?

Recovery time generally varies from a few weeks to a few months.

Can you walk and climb on Social Security?

If you are able to walk and climb and do the things noted above, you are unlikely to meet Social Security's listings for reconstructive surgery or dysfunction of a joint. But that's not the end of the disability determination. Social Security must then look to whether you can go back to your prior job in your present condition.

What is the best way to get a knee replacement?

In order to be considered a good candidate for knee replacement surgery, you first need to receive screenings and treatment from your primary care physician who participates in Medicare and accepts assignment. Your primary doctor may also refer you to an orthopedic specialist.

Is surgery covered by Medicare?

These doctors’ services are covered under Medicare Part B as they are performed on an outpatient basis. If surgery is the medically necessary option, then the surgery itself will be performed at a surgical center and should also be covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service.

Does Medicare cover knee replacement?

Medicare Coverage for Knee Replacement Surgery. One of the biggest concerns seniors and Medicare recipients under the age of 65 who qualify due to disabilities face is the costs associated with knee replacement surgery. In the majority of cases, knee replacement surgery and its associated treatments are covered under different parts of Medicare.

How long does a veteran have to be on disability for knee replacement?

After total knee replacement surgery, there is an automatic 100% disability rating for one year. After that year has lapsed, veterans will require additional tests for knee flexion, extension, and instability.

What happens if you are denied a claim for knee pain?

Documentation of injuries, surgeries, or other conditions with knee pain as a secondary symptom. If your claim is initially denied for any reason, hope is not lost. The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) System gives you three options to have your claim reviewed if you disagree with the decision.

What is TDIU disability?

TDIU stands for Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability. On its own, knee pain will not qualify you for TDIU. As mentioned above, the only time knee pain qualifies for a 100% disability rating is following total knee replacement surgery. However, if you already have at least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more, or two or more disabilities for a combined total rating of 70% or more, and you can’t hold down a job due to knee pain, you may qualify for TDIU.

What is a diagnosis for knee pain?

1. A current diagnosis that includes the disability that is being claimed. In this case, you will need a diagnosis that accounts for the knee pain you are experiencing. If your diagnosis loosely explains your knee pain, it is unlikely that it will apply to your disability claim.

What is a C&P exam for knee pain?

When you don’t have sufficient medical evidence to support your veterans disability claim , the VA may require a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam for your knee pain. This exam generally happens at a VA hospital or clinic and is conducted by VA medical staff. The purpose of the C&P exam is to support or refute your claim. You will need to submit all medical records to the VA prior to the exam, as your provider will not be able to review any new information once you are there.

Why is pain considered a disability?

However, it is often difficult to prove that pain is the cause of a person’s service-connected disability. This is because pain is not in itself a diagnosis.

What is a medical nexus?

A medical nexus that connects the current, diagnosed disability to the in-service occurrence, incident, or exposure. The medical nexus can make or break a disability claim. A medical nexus letter from a medical provider can establish strong ties between the condition and military service.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SSD & SSI BENEFITS AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

If you have ever had surgery, you know pain doesn’t disappear after the operation. In fact, even with surgery, you may still have major problems with pain. Problems occur when the pain prevents you from working. It may also prevent normal activities, like standing or sitting. Chronic pain may result in the inability to walk.

RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

When your ability to perform activities, such as sitting and standing, is impaired, it is known as impairment in your “ residual functional capacity .” If your residual functional capacity is limited, then the SSA may find you cannot sustain full-time work. If you cannot do your old job, you should apply for disability benefits.

RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY OF A WEIGHT-BEARING JOINT

In order to win disability benefits, your impairment must meet or equal a listing. Meeting a listing means having all the criteria on the list. Equalling a listing means having a combination of symptoms that are as severe as those in the listing.

1.17 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint (see 1.00H ), documented by A, B, and C

A. History of reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint.

APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

If you have not returned to work after you knee surgery, you may be eligible for disability benefits. In order to prove disability, you should hire a law firm that specializes in disability. Cannon Disability is that firm. We have over 30 years of legal experience representing disabled individuals.

CONTACT CANNON DISABILITY LAW AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

It is always our goal to win disability benefits for our clients. Your ability to care financially for yourself and your family relies upon the results of your SSD case. Additionally, your ability to receive Medicaid and also Medicare depends upon whether you are successful with your disability claim.

THE TOP SSD ATTORNEYS WANT TO HELP YOU AFTER YOUR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

We will use our legal skills to help you through the disability process. It is our goal to win your case. But, it also our goal to make it easier for you. We offer a free consultation. And, there is no obligation to become a client if you call. You can simply ask questions. That is what we are here for.

What is a knee disability?

A Knee Disability Must Impair Your Ability to Walk. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disabling knee condition as one that causes a functional loss resulting in the inability to ambulate effectively.

What are the three types of knee disability?

Three of the common types of knee disability are major dysfunction of a knee joint, reconstructive surgery or replacement of the knee joint, and amputation at the knee. Evidence to support these conditions may be physical, such as proof of an assistive device like a prosthetic leg, walker, or cane.

Can you walk without a knee assistive device?

Some examples of ineffective ambulation that may qualify as a knee disability include the inability to: walk without an assistive device (cane, crutches, etc); sustain a reasonable walking pace ...

What conditions are considered to be eligible for Medicare?

Even though most people on Social Security Disability Insurance must wait for Medicare coverage to begin, two conditions might ensure immediate eligibility: end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).

How long does it take to get Medicare if you appeal a decision?

The result: your wait for Medicare will be shorter than two years.

What is ESRD in Medicare?

ESRD, also known as permanent kidney failure, is a disease in which the kidneys no longer work. Typically, people with ESRD need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant (or both) to survive. Because of this immediate need, Medicare waives the waiting period. 2

What to do if your income is too high for medicaid?

If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, try a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which generally has higher limits for income. As a bonus, if you qualify for an MSP, you automatically qualify for Extra Help, which subsidizes your Part D costs. Contact your state’s Medicaid office for more information.

How long does a disability last?

The government has a strict definition of disability. For instance, the disability must be expected to last at least one year. Your work history will also be considered—usually, you must have worked for about 10 years but possibly less depending on your age.

When will Medicare be available for seniors?

July 16, 2020. Medicare is the government health insurance program for older adults. However, Medicare isn’t limited to only those 65 and up—Americans of any age are eligible for Medicare if they have a qualifying disability. Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B once they’ve been collecting Social Security Disability ...

Does Medicare cover ALS?

Medicare doesn’t require a waiting period for people diagnosed with ALS, but they need to qualify based on their own or their spouse’s work record. 3

When will Social Security and Medicare be available for immigrants?

Social Security and Medicare Benefits for Immigrants. September 15, 2020 Apply for Green Card Immigration News Working in the U.S. Social Security and Medicare are two of the federally provided benefits that American workers look forward to as they retire. Workers and their employers generally fund these programs throughout a career.

Who is eligible for Medicare Part A?

People age 65 or older, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, may be eligible for Medicare Part A. Most people are eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 through one of the following qualifying events:

What is Medicare benefits?

Medicare Benefits Explained. Medicare is the United States’ national health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Medicare benefits help cover the costs of health care, but it doesn’t necessarily cover the cost of all expenses. There are different parts (Part A, Part B, Part D) that cover various expenses.

What is Medicare and Social Security?

Social Security primarily provides retirement income, and the Medicare program is a health insurance option for older residents. Many U.S. citizens, permanent residents and even certain nonimmigrant workers use these benefits.

Can surprise medical expenses be expensive?

Even for individuals with a good household income, surprise medical expenses can be extremely costly. Health insurance demonstrates that you’ll be able to handle these costs if necessary. VisitorsCoverage offers are variety of short-term plans to help you meet these requirements. Social Security and Medicare benefits for immigrants are available, ...

Can an immigrant collect Social Security in another country?

An immigrant may collect U.S. Social Security in another country provided they have earned the benefit. The Social Security system has a variety of complex rules and requirements. Many non-citizens who worked in the United States are eligible to receive Social Security benefits.

Does Medigap cover coinsurance?

Medigap covers some of the costs that Medicare does not , such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. People younger than age 65 with certain disabilities may also qualify for Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits have different categories called “parts”:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9