How long does it usually take to get Medicaid approved?

OMG, is this one more 'chore' we have to do?

Gather records? It's kind of like applying for another mortgage.

I know the question has been asked and answered, but I wanted to just say when my mother was in the geriatric/psyche unit (this is a place where the hospital in Boston places people to either get them on their drugs or before placement of patient in NH) I know the social worker asked my son (I wasn't up there at the time) if he knew what her financial situation was. I just assumed they used up half her savings (she's got nothing, no house, never had a car, rented her entire life, etc., and no saving to speak of, that they would require at least 1/2 of that savings (joint account with me). But then I talked with an attorney and he said that if I hadn't contributed to that account, they wouldn't consider it joint, and they would just leave her with $2400. Which is fine with me. I'm certainly not in this for the money. Now that she's getting worse, I'm thinking of applying and/or at least looking at NH. I'm 'assuming' (there's an old joke that goes with that word, i.e., never assume anything because it only makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me, i.e., ass/u/me) that the doctor will assign a social worker to the case and that will be it, but I'm in another state (FL). Don't quite know how it works down here. I should find out, but gees am I tired.


Today I have to take her for UTI test. She was up at least, and I am not exaggerating this, 35 times in two hours last night. I don't know if it's the dementia kicking in again or if the UTI is causing this radical change.

It took my dad 4 months to be approved.

When I applied for my cousin in NC, I went to Social Services and took all financial records for 5 years, bank statements, care title, life insurance cash value document, Medicare documents and proof of her disability. Plus, a form signed by a doctor that she needed immediate assisted living. The social worker told me she would have an answer within 3 days! And she did.

Institutional Medicaid should be approved in 30 days unless there are outstanding verifications required or there is a question about the person meeting level of care.
Send all financial verification at the time of application including face value of all life insurance policies.

Thanks Pam, from what you say the only slow point in our situation would be that we live in Suffolk County. Mom's Dr. is always on the ball and her finances are very cut and dry. She owns nothing of value, but plenty of pretty junk and that damn $1500 dog. I guess then it will be at least 4 but probably longer. I guess I'm going to have to find something to keep me busy. That's longer then I thought she would be gone.

Most delays in Medicaid processing happen because the MD's don't fill out the forms properly. We worked with an elder benefits consultant, and they forewarned us to fill out the VA 2680 ourselves, then have the MD read it and sign it, and forward it ourselves, just give him a copy. They were right. He not only didn't read it, he didn't even want a copy.
The other delay is gaps in the reported financial data. Very common: grandma's car is given to a family member but the asset is not accounted for. Paintings or furniture or other heirlooms pass to other hands, but are not accounted for. Money is "loaned" to a relative with no loan documents. Often Grandma has old savings accounts she has long since forgotten, but they are uncovered when her SS # is cross-referenced.
Age of the patient is also a factor. VA will fast track the application if the applicant is 90 or more. One poster here got it done in only 4 months.
Medicaid, on the other hand, depends on the county you reside in.
A small county will have fewer cases and should be able to process quickly. A large urban center with a big case load, well, I hope you know your county legislator well enough to solicit some help.