I had a student health plan that ended mid December because I graduated. Open enrollment in CA ends on January 31 this year and I'm eligible to enroll in medicare. Once I enroll, coverage won't immediately kick in but a friend told me medicare can cover previous medical costs. Is this true? I have a painful ear infection that I want to get treated but I don't have health insurance right now.
2021-01-04T15:27:42Z
I meant medicaid not medicare. You're right curtisports2, I confused medicaid with medicare.
StephenWeinstein2021-01-05T06:13:40Z
You don't need health insurance to get treated for an ear infection. You could probably get a place like MinuteClinic to give you a prescription for under $100.
Medi-Cal CAN BE retroactive when you have a serious medical condition. A painful ear infection that would cost about $58 to be seen at minute clinic and get the related antibiotics does not qualify. = you don't need health insurance to cover a minor cost like this. If you don't have the $50-$100 to be seen at a place like minute clinic, go to a income based medical clinic. Without knowing where in CA you are, it's difficult to provide information. in Los Angeles, Harbor UCLA Medical Center has one.
Serious = tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
If you are not 65 or older or have a disability that allows a younger person to qualify for Medicare, you cannot enroll in Medicare. You may qualify for Medicaid, which has 3 months retroactivity from the date you apply.