SS benefits (secondary insurer) for low birthweight babies

southphilly

I was told that ss operates as a secondary insurer for those kids born under a certain birth weight.  I applied and now am getting ss checks-I'm totally confused-thought that I would be submitting receipts for copays, prescriptions, etc.  Anyone btdt?

agray13

Not sure how it works in your state, but in Florida once you apply for the SSI benefits they automatically give you state medicaid. Your state may be different, but I would think that it should all work the same and you should get a seperate reward letter for the medicaid.  The checks are the monthly benefit amount for your baby being born so early/small.  It's $30 a month while baby is in the hospital and then once they come home it can go up or stop; depending on what "disabilities" the baby has.  Hope this helps!

here4u

Agree with agray13.  Sophie has been recieving this for the past year, $35 check a month, and having the Medicaid card helps with her copays. (dr.'s and prescriptions)  She also automatically qualified for WIC since she is recieving Medicaid.

southphilly

Thanks ladies-I guess I was thinking about the medicaid card-I thought that was what I applied for?  but then started receiving checks and didn't really understand.  So far as I understand, receiving ss benefits makes a baby eligible for state benefits as well (here in pennsy).  Basically I'm hoping for help with the O2 (so expensive!) and synagis-plus we are seeing so many specialists, the copays really start to add up too.