This is my first post. I am currently trying to obtain private health insurance for my mother who is going to be turning 61 years old this fall. She had been able to be on my father's COBRA insurance for the past 18 months but it ends this fall. My father(age 64 in the fall) has been on disability for the past 2 years and therefore will be eligible for Medicare after the COBRA ends. My mother however does not have the work credits to qualify for disability, she was a stay-at-home mom and developed the disease around age 52. We do not qualify for SSI either based on the resource limits. There are not many insurance companies that will even insure her at all but I have received some quotes in the area of $2,000/mth. We already pay a caregiver $2,000/ mth to come in and help out. My father does not have a pension or any retirement benefits beyond social security. He does have some savings but at this rate we will chew through that amount in no time. I was wondering if there is anyway to get early acceptance into Medicare for those diagnosed with ALZ but who do not meet the age requirements (keeping in mind she does have have the work credits to get her into disability and then into automatic acceptance into Medicare)? It's been a very frustrating task. Or is there any advice on how to proceed in the insurance arena with this type of situation?

Chris-repost this under the caregiver forum-you will get a faster response.

Crd,
My wife is in same boat, 56 years old and has not worked so does not qualify for SSI or any other SS program unless of course something happens to me. I have also been looking into health insurance issue and in Texas wife can qualify for the State Pool for individuals that are otherwise uninsurable and it is reasonalby priced. First we have to apply for individual coverage and get a declination letter. With the declination letter we can then apply to State Pool which is Blue Cross Blue Shield. Haven't done that yet because still have group health coverage, but that will end this December. You may want to check with your state insurance board to see if there are similar opportunities where you live.

Move to Canada! They have a much better universal health care system there. The waits are longer, but at least everybody gets care.

Seriously though, I wish you the best of luck. This will be difficult, and I'm sure insurance companies are hesitant after a diagnosis of AD.