My mother's care was paid with her social security income and medicaid. Mother stopped eating 2 weeks before she died. She had been wheelchair bound and she was blind in one eye. The nursing home sent a bill for $1208 for the last 4 days of her life. When I contacted them they advised me that medicaid will not pay until patient responsibility is paid.
I had an attorney send a letter indicating they should cease billing and to contact their office with any questions as I had not signed anything indicating that I would be responsible. Nursing home continues to bill every month for the same amount.
The SS payment received each month is for the following month. Mom died in March, she is still entitled to March payment because it was for February. April she would not receive anything because she died in March. If no March payment was made, someone needs to call SS and find out why. I have a feeling because Mom died so early in the month, that when SS was notified by the Funeral Home of her death, her acct was shut down before her last payment was processed. If I am correct, someone needs to call SS to request her last check. If you sent a check to her NH monthly then you make the call to SS. If the NH was payee and did not receive the March payment, they need to call SS. That's why I made Moms NH payee, so I would not have this problem.
If I am correct, that March check should go to the NH. Even if less than the $1208, IMO thats all they get. Thats what they got monthly for Mom and Medicaid paid their share. They deserve no more than that.
What does the contract say?
Yes I received a claim showing medicare paid $976 for Hospice
March 02-March 05.