I'm in Texas. In order to help him what do I need to do? I’m not really being given any Information. I cannot be financially responsible for him
He only has SS income and a small amount of cash in his bank. His medical insurance is care plus from Medicare which I’m being told isn’t very accepted.
I spoke with an attorney and they told me I needed to get guardianship at a cost of $4.5k.
If VA is sending him to nursing and verifying medical, Why do I need guardianship?
He is my uncle, and I love him, but I also need to be realistic about what I can handle
I woukd clarify with the VA social worker what is being asked of you.
Do not sign ANY forms indicating "responsible party" with your own name.
With guardianship you will need to go to court with proof of Uncles incompetence. The State will require you to report to them yearly concerning Uncles finances and health. For the cost, I personally would not do it.
Your Uncle should have assigned a POA long ago. He should have had a Living will saying what he wants done when he started having health problems.
Looked on Medicare.gov concerning Medicare Plus. They are Medicare advantage Plans and Medigap. Medicare Advantage plans are plans that Medicare has contradicted out. Suppose to get the same advantages of Medicare but they are HMOs/ PPOs so you need to stay in their Network when it comes to providers. Straight Medicare you can go to any provider who takes Medicare. Not sure why he would have a MA and not straight Medicare if going to the VA. Vets I know use the VA as their secondary insurance.
Is Uncle living in another state? If so this will make it hard to deal with his doctors.
Ask them to send you the proxy form so you can read it.
I'd try hard to connect with the assigned social worker to see what the VA has in mind once he is medically stable (may already have reached that status, so needs to move out of an acute care medical bed.).
Getting him to your area for nursing home placement will be harder than getting the VA to place him in a nursing home where he (and they) are located.
The VA can petition the court to request an assigned guardian for him - but it is easier for everyone else if YOU agree to take on that role.