Hi - My dad will be 90 in January. This past year he was in the hospital 4 times. Hee had 3 ambulance trips, and a bunch of doctor's visits.
Of course, we have been inundated with bills. He has no income besides SS. He doesn't own any property, and his only assets are about $3000 in the bank, and a car with 165,000 miles on it that currently cannot pass a safety inspection. He also has a $5000 VA death benefit policy.
I should also point out that he cannot cook for himself, drive himself, or be alone anymore. Anytime I am not able to be there, he has to hire paid help. The costs for restaurants / caregivers/ companions/ transportation have left us shellshocked. He is spending $1000 plus most weeks, including his many medications, and has depleted his savings.
At the advice of friends he has been paying each of his creditors at least $10 a month. Many of the smaller bills have been paid off. Most of the larger creditors have been fine with it, too. They understand he is on a fixed income and know he has been very ill.
Two of them though, have been a big problem. The first is an ambulance company that took my father 3 miles from his doctor to the hospital. From what I can tell they were paid about $550 by insurance and billed my dad an additional $167. They demanded immediate payment in full, when I asked them to send me a breakdown of the costs, and why it was so much?, they immediately sent to collections.
The second is a hospital. They have sent as many as seven separate bills in a month. My dad has paid $10 on each one, two have been paid off. The remainder total about $850, I'm guessing, because when I called them they would not verify that there will be no additional bills pending...
So, I told them about my dad's finances, and that he could continue to pay $10/month on each of the outstanding bills, and that would be $40 a month total.
Nope. They threatened collections. They don't seem to understand that he owes money to numerous other doctors and services too. They just want all theirs NOW.
My dad needs a hospital bed, and other things for six months now. His doctor has tried to get insurance to approve them, they keep saying they "aren't medically necessary." The cost for everything would be at least $8000. My dad is very uncomfortable and hardly can get any sleep because of COPD and pain, but he is willing to without the bed and other things because he is trying to pay all of his creditors. He has even asked me to sell his car, or offer it to the hospital to settle his bills there.
I don't know what to do. I am already supporting him as much as I can, or he would have NO money for these bills. My friend tells me that if the hospital sends him to collections he should refuse any further payment and work on the bills that aren't in collections, so his credit doesn't get dinged any worse? I have no idea what to do any longer.
1. Is your father getting any assistance from the VA? If not, consider contacting a local VFW or American Legion post, or go directly to the VA or one of the county VA services to apply for medical assistance. If he has a service connected disability, apply for that as well.
2. I suspect your father doesn't have a supplemental insurance to pay the portion which Medicare doesn't pay. We have Medigap plans, which pay the "gap" portion, the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay. Other than direct pay for lotions and some assistive devices, all our bills have been paid by the Medigap plan.
This is the time to research the plans and decide on one before (I believe) Dec. 7, the end of the choice change period.
3. I hesitate to suggest this but perhaps bankruptcy should be considered. I don't know how changes in the bankruptcy laws as a consequence of the real estate recession might affect medical payments, but it's worth a consideration.
4. I would take a second look at the outside agencies that are providing about $1K weekly in expenses.
a. Check out paratransit options through the local public transit agency; it's cheaper than by ambulance/ambulette.
b. Consider getting Medicare Part D to provide assistance with meds; also contact the manufacturers/pharmaceutical companies directly to see if they have low income plans - that would reduce the cost somewhat if he qualifies.
c. Consider getting Meals on Wheels; the meals aren't restaurant quality, but they're also not restaurant priced. We pay $3 for a packaged meal, with a well balanced meal and sides. Meals can be ordered for the weekend as well.
d. Cook in big batches, pack in microwaveable containers if you have them. Your father can just microwave the meals; that'll save you some time in going over to cook for him.
e. Check out food pantries and see if he can get free food - canned goods, etc. Check with local bakeries to see if they have surplus outlets. In our area bread that's perhaps a day or two days old can be purchased for about 1/3 to 1/2 of the store cost.
4. Contact your county and state offices and see if they have elder law agencies. Michigan has an Elder Law organization which provides information on various assistances available for seniors - ranging from food to utilities.
5. Also contact the local senior center in your community to find out what they offer.
I think you could bring down that $1K weekly cost if you can tap into some of these local resources.
They told us six months ago not eligible for medicaid
Dr did write them, they said not covered. I will ask him to try again
He does not have part D medicare. I think he has part B, which paid 80% of his hospital and left them immediately demanding the balance which he cannot cover without being left destitute.
I have no plans for his future. I guess he'll live with me as long as possible. Then?
This must be so hard for you - I'm sorry
Have you applied for Medicaid for your dad? It sounds as though he would be eligible. Going forward, that would pay his hospital and ambulance bills, prescriptions and might cover some home care services. Get started on the application today.
Has his doctor written a precription for the hospital bed? That's who needs to say that it's medically necessary. Call his doctor today. And get the doctor to scrpt some home care.
I would also find an eldercare lawyer who will give you a free " first consultation" to advise on the bills.
More folks will be along with more advice, I'm sure.