My Grandpa's Doc is in another town. He tells my Grandma that he will sign an order for a nursing home for Grandpa but it has to be in the town the Doc is in NOT the town my grandparents live in. Can't we pick which Nursing Home my grandfather goes in. They live 40 miles from Doc's choice but have a nursing home that grandpa has went to for rehab 4 blocks from their home. I know he can pick a home of his choice if they pay out of pocket but for medicare to pay we need a doctor's order. Can someone please help me with this info?
I agree that he is able to choose his own place and all you need is the form from the doctor and his recommendation about what he can and can't do for himself. Beyond that, I'd say they need to find another doctor. This one is over stepping.
If I were you, I would go to the nursing home of your choice (the one in your grandpa's town) and ask them to help you. They can provide your grandparents with a list of doctors that will care for him in the nursing home and help facilitate the admit process. Now the doc in the other town will need to fill our paperwork and provide an order for the admit but the local doc will pick it up from there and care for him in the nursing home.
Unless your grandpa has 3 days in an acute hospital (qualifying days under Medicare A), Medicare will not pay for his stay in the nursing home. Even if he has those 3 days and a medical need that would qualify under Medicare you're looking at a short term solution to a long term problem which is paying for the nursing home. Contact an attorney to discuss estate planning and the possibility of him qualifying for Medicaid under the spousal impoverishment laws. You can also ask the nursing home to guide you through this or call your local Medicaid office in your county. Some people are surprised that with some planning they can qualify for Long Term Care Medicaid. It's certainly worth a try...
Good luck to you and your grandparents. The nursing home admission can be an overwhelming process on top of what can be an already sad time. Nothing but the best to you...
Have him sign the order, and choose your preferred nursing home. If doc won't do it get a new one in the area. When my mother went into a nursing home the order was signed and SHE picked the place out of three that we visited. She was happy to have some choice in the matter....which is as it should be for your grandparents.
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