Our family memeber's SS and retirement checks are deposited directly to the NH each month. Last month, one of the checks for the first time in years, slipped our memory and got left in the glove compartment of our car. When this months check was deposited, we realized our mistake and immediately located and deposited May's check. Upon communicating this honest mistake (no payments were missed and nothing went delinquent etc), we were threatened with an audit and an $8000 fine because "Medicaid will be dropped" because the check was not deposited in time, "its black and white, no exceptions." What can I do? Who can I reach out to? I need help and I don't even know where to begin.
If no payments were missed and nothing was delinquent, then why is Medicaid being dropped because the check wasn't deposited in time?
Who is telling you this? The nursing home?
I would contact Medicaid directly and ask them.
I'm sorry for the confusion, the funds go only toward nursing home care, but get mailed to us (we - our mom - have the power of attorney and accesses to deposit the checks into her acct etc)
Thank you SO much for taking time to help. I'm new to learning all of this and... wow... feels like the deck is stacked against you every time, huh?
I am new to all of this so I am interested to hear what others say of your situation. As for my own mother's, she has been approved Medicaid since January and as of June 1, her social security check goes directly to the nursing home. However, she owes them a balance of $4,200 for the payments from January through May. She has yet to pay them. Nobody has said anything to us about fees/fines or dropping Medicaid. We very may well be in the same boat.
Thank you all for taking the time out of your day and responding!!! I'm so glad I reached out.
So a lawyer would be the only option here or is there a simplier appeals process..?
Has anyone had to go through this before and has anyone been forgiven for the slip up? We literally cannot afford for it to be dropped (as I'm sure is often the case.)
Thank you all again!
The nursing home my Mom was in misplaced a check I had given them. After about 3 weeks I realized the check had not cleared. I had the receipt from the nursing home. BUT the check did not clear, the end of the month rolled around and Mom's funds stacked up in her checking account. We got it cleared up but I did call Medicaid so they could make a note in my Moms case/file as to what happened. I also stuck a note on Moms bank statement so I wouldn't forget when renewal time rolled around.
I would call Medicaid direct and explain what happened and ask that they document what happened in their file.