How much should be counted on for Medicaid/Medicare?

Jackie, the best thing to do is talk to your local Medicaid office. I'm surprised that the Administrator wasn't aware of the basics at least. I found when Mom was in the hospital Medicare and her supplement (AARP) paid all but maybe $1000. Doctors that saw her bills trickle in little by little. $20 here $20 there. Now with rehab, once Medicare paid and then supplemental, she owed $152 a day. She was in for about a month.

I used to be a secretary for our local Visiting Nurses. When one of our patients was in the hospital, I would get a call asking what we could do when they were released. My answer was that a Social Worker should talk to you before the patient is released. She will explain the patients options. If going to rehab or having OT, PT at home. Another nursing agency usually will not come in if one is already there. When going into the rehab, all financials should be discussed with the patient and paperwork signed showing who is going to pay the balance. If the patient is not able to sign, then the person holding the medical POA can do this.

Now, I had a problem with Mom's last hospital stay. She was showing signs of Dementia and with dehydrating herself, it was worse. I asked that no nurse or doctor discuss her care with her. That I was to be called. I came in one day and there were two nurses (one being a student I think) discussing what they would be doing. The nurse was talking fast and I told her "you lost her back on the first word". Mom went to the rehab my daughter works at so this didn't happen. My daughter is second on the medical so they talked to her. If she was off duty, they called me. Make sure you know all medications they are giving the patient. Mistakes have been made going from hospital to rehab. My Uncle was in the hospital for a reaction to a med and transferred to rehab where that doctor recommended it. TG my uncle/Aunt asked questions or he would have died. Hate that doctors in hospitals and rehabs don't confer with the patients primary or specialist.

Thank you JoAnn29. Administrator didn't know the answers. Financial person was not available. You gave me what I needed to know. God bless. Jackie

Jackie, a little unclear. Medicare pays for hospitalization. If from there the person goes to rehab, medicare pays 100% for first 20days. The next 80days 50%. Hopefully there is a supplemental to pick up the difference or part of it. At 100 days, medicare doesn't pay. If the person is in an AL this comes out of their pocket. If they need care and can't afford it, medicaid will take over and SS and pension will be used to offset the cost. Leaving a small amount of money for personal needs. Now if there is a spouse it will be a little different. They won't be left destitute.

It is ridiculous for the high charges for family to be in these private home. If you can care for your loved one at home, could you save money by having a 24/7 nurse....At home? But, there are some who are violent in their alzheimers and that would be impossible for anyone other than a locked facility. They call that part of the nursing home Memory Care.

Parent only has Medicare. Does not qualify for Medicaid. Receives monthly auto deposit. Does this money go directly to the skilled care provider hospital?

We will be paying everything out of his money until it runs out. At the rate the place here is running, it could run out in 1 1/2 years. Maybe a bit more. 7,000 a month. So, I have a Contract for care with him. Reducing his assets....I found out I could charge as long as their is a contract.

Is Medicare primary and Medicaid secondary? Thats if u have medicaid health insurance. This iss ussually for those on SSI and SSD basically. All has to do with income.

Counted on for what? To pay for hospitalization costs, for medications, for rehab unit, for NH placement? All hare different requirements & limitations on qualifying.

You need to,provide more details to get answers.