@treziesmom

Life becomes difficult and complicated when retirement comes earlier than planned. I managed to hang on until I was 55, still too early. I was fortunate to be approved for Social Security disability the first time I applied. I had a very small amount of money in savings and IRAs, certainly not what the financial advisors recommend in the AARP magazine. The only way we survive is that we own our home with no mortgage, and have no debt. SNAP has made a big difference, along with energy assistance. The Seniors with Disabilities program has been a help to us in finding resources, and our area hospitals, which are all connected, have provided other resources. Important to me is the mental health department, where I can see a therapist at no cost to me, because they accept Medicare.

Because of our income level, our Medicare premiums are covered by the state, and our medications are subsidized so the most we pay for a prescription is $3.60. Our biggest health cost challenge is the annual deductible - unfortunately, we usually pay that in the first month or two of the year.

Prescriptions can be a nightmare. I've been in an Rx mess for 5 months, and I'm hoping it's finally been resolved. It's been about getting prior authorization approval for my morphine. It's a good thing that I haven't been taking the full dose for a long time. If I had, I'd have run out several months ago. As it is, I'm cutting it pretty close because between the doctor and the pharmacy, I'm already 10 days past due for my next refill.

With all of the financial assistance resources available, there are some positive aspects of being old - I turned 70 last month.

It's way past my bedtime. I hope your Rx problem is resolved soon. Keep being the squeaky wheel.

Jim