I am 65, epilepsy since 22 yrs old, 95% controlled until 2005. Unable to work after a seizure at work, resulting with Medicare and disability money since 2005.

I had a back injury at 22 (not related to epilepsy) rupturing 3 discs (not known to what extent until 50 yrs old), with no med treatment at the time. Degenerative to the extent of non-existent for those 3. Scoliosis further up as a result of 40+ years. For 1.5 years I've been seeing a surgeon who I can plan on having surgery with during the next 1 to 6 months. Surgery will not be avoidable. My need is how to financially manage Medicare-Medicaid-or any other gang.

The cost I'm sure some of you know can clear 200k pretty easy. I had been putting off surgery since 63 believing Medicaid at 65 was going to pay for 99+%. Medicare was at best going to have a 20% copay. After researching even a small amount on Medicaid for my condition (reading stories like mine before walking through the front door of Medicaid or other) it sounds like I should have a better look at how to plan financial damages with too many variables. My fault or not, I don't know where to get good info, or how to avoid a 60k copay or, what happens when you do.

It's not a new diagnosis or a referral to another surgeon that is needed. I'm looking for direction and "warnings" on how to financially manage my possibilities and how to avoid irreversible decisions.