My grandmother has been in a nursing home for nearly 2-3 years but I have only been visiting her for the past year. Two months ago they notified me that she only had 2-3 months to live and they were moving her to hospice. She was never moved and later I was told it was because her Medicaid would only pay for one of the two (the home or the hospice).
I am not POA or anything special legally but today I was approached/cornered by the staff to be told they plan on kicking my grandmother out due to lack of funds. Saying she has over $200,000 in medical bills. I asked where would they take her and they responded that they "don't know." My uncle is her POA but I have been unable to get in touch with him and frankly don't know what to do or if what he has been doing is 'above board.'
My grandmother has severe Parkinsons (unable to move at all, can't muster enough strength speak low enough to be heard) and the care she requires can not be provided at home. Not to mention that she is divorced, kids don't talk to her, and I live with someone else so she doesn't have a 'Home' to go to. What do I do at this point? They home was asking for a letter to prove that some bank account belongs to her ex husband and not her? But he is completely out the picture for 20 years (restraining order against my Grandmother) so he won't be of help. How do I find out what's going on with her Medicaid and why it's not covering her bills? What can I do to ensure my Grandmother received the respect she deserves in death.
If she needed hospice, that’s a Medicare benefit. So all good in theory.
Something has happened to change her eligibility.
The DPOA Uncle probably got a series of time sensitive letters from the state for details as to her finances as I’d bet her estranged husband has assets over the limit allowed by a community spouse. It took a while but the state probably has been able to do a match up with granpas SS # and any real property owned in his name, and it has him way way over the spousal limit of 120k in assets. Dpoa uncle did not file what documents the state needed. He could not prove that estranged spouse was not subject to Medicaid regulations. So grannie got ineligible for Medicaid AND Medicaid retro’d a clawback on payment back to day 1 of admission.
Thats is why it’s 200k. Medicaid clawed back every penny.
NH now totally knows they are taking a total loss on her stay even if she’s dutifully paying her monthly SS income to the NH. It’s a tiny drop in the bucket for 2+ years of room & board.
Hospice medical fees could be paid for by medicare. But hospice does NOT pay for the custodial room & board costs for her to have a bed at the NH. Those charges need Medicaid in order to be paid for at a NH.
Pixel - run away from any legal involvement in this. If you sign anything, you could be held totally liable for her entire bill. It will make student loan debt look like a piece of cake.
TellNH to contact APS. APS can get her to become an emergency ward of the state and the court appointed guardian can deal with your dpoa Uncle and the estranged husband. Guardian can haul them both in front of a judge if need be.
Medicare (Federal Program) is gotten usually when u turn 65. It covers only 80% Medical bills. A supplimental policy is needed to pick up the 20%.
Medicaid (federally funded but state controlled) Is usually applied for when health insurance is needed or for the care of someone in a NH that can't afford the cost. When on Medicaid for NH care, health insurance is included.
So if Gma is on Medicaid there is no outstanding debt. The NH should be receiving Gmas SS and any pension to help offset costs.
If they are telling you that Gma owes for care, then she is not Medicaid covered. 200k is about right for 2 yrs of care.
It looks like the POA dropped Gma off and left her there. Legally, they cannot "kick" her out. They haven't yet have they? You show up and they are hoping you take on the responsibility. Without a POA u have no authority and since Gma has to assign someone, it won't happen now.
A guardian? but thats expensive and she maybe gone before you can get thru the process.
By the way, Medicare pays for Hospice in NHs. Medicaid pays for care and medical bills. They have nothing to do with Hospice. Please get an advocate that can help u sort all this out. Call Adult Protective Services/Office of Aging and see if they have or know of someone who can help you sort this out.
Is there anything I can do to make this process go easier for her? As I stated before I am just starting to get involved but am unsure what to do?
Can I check the status of her medicaid? If for some reason she isn't signed up can I sign her up for medicaid at this point? Why wouldn't she be signed up? Is it possible to be signed up and the expenses just surpass you allotted amount?
Can I become her POA without taking on her debt. It's hard to get her proper care when noone can talk to you. Can I be granted POA even thou my Uncle is already POA?
If there is nothing I can do what will happen when she become a ward of the state? Will i be able to see her? Will she be moved to state facility? Will they just toss her on the street?
I understand that this is a business but what am I in the position to do?
I'd ask APS to see about uncle POA's neglect and what he has been doing with her money. Doesn't sound like he has fulfilled his responsibilities. I think that POA is basically responsible for filing for Medicaid, though I'm surprised the nursing home let this go on for so long. Is there some kind of problem with her Medicaid eligibility that uncle doesn't want to touch?
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it sounds like Grandma is personna non grata in the family and that no one is going to step up for her. If your uncle has gone underground, she will have to become a ward of the state.
Accept no responsibility for her. Make no promises of payment or say you’ll find someplace for her to go. If they keep pressing you, you may need to hire your own attorney.
Is there anything I can do to make this process go easier for her? As I stated before I am just starting to get involved but am unsure what to do?
Can I check the status of her medicaid? If for some reason she isn't signed up can I sign her up for medicaid at this point? Why wouldn't she be signed up? Is it possible to be signed up and the expenses just surpass you allotted amount?
Can I become her POA without taking on her debt. It's hard to get her proper care when noone can talk to you. Can I be granted POA even thou my Uncle is already POA?
If there is nothing I can do what will happen when she become a ward of the state? Will i be able to see her? Will she be moved to state facility? Will they just toss her on the street?
I understand that this is a business but what am I in the position to do?