OMAHA- Medical advocates and families in Nebraska have begun to push for the implementation of insurance protections for those with disabilities nearing retirement. In other states, insurance providers are required to offer 'Medigap,' which helps to cut medical costs, to people under 65 who are on disability, but Nebraska is lacking this system, instead requiring patients with disabilities to pay out of pocket.

"Medigap fills in the gaps, essentially, that the Medicare program has," said Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, noting that people without supplemental gap coverage could be liable for up to 20% of their medical costs after meeting Medicare deductibles. Nordquist went on to state that up to 45,000 Nebraskans who are under 65 and on disability could find themselves paying exorbitant out-of-pocket costs, should the Nebraska Legislature fail to implement a required Medigap system.

"Nebraskans who have disabilities are often left out here," continued Nordquist, "And when they have high health care costs, it can be devastating to their family budgets." Thus far, no Nebraska lawmakers have expressed interest in implementing such a system, but the push for a Medigap system in the state by advocates and families may change that.

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