Nursing home says we owe money from before Medicaid kicked in?

How long have they been billing you and/or you've known about this? I'm guessing if the nursing home is at the "10 days or else" phase it been a little while, at least.

Ask the nursing home to walk through the bill with you so you know why they're claiming what they are. If it doesn't sound reasonable or on the up and up - get yourself to an attorney, as the others replies suggest. If it is a figure that is legitimate perhaps you can come to an agreement on a payment plan.

You mention that your mothers SS and pension was paying prior to Medicaid- I'm guessing that that was only paying a portion of the bill - otherwise Medicaid wouldn't be needed and the cost would continue to be covered with your mothers own money.

Gustshopadmin is spot on here - you need to get yourself to an attorney specializing in Medicaid law and estate law and find out what your situation is. Yes, they can throw your mom out and sue you for non-payment.

Don't ignore this and don't ignore or avoid talking to the accounting person at the nursing home. See if you can have a sit-down with them to find out where things went wrong - if a bill that size built up, there's either an error, or you weren't aware that the money had to be paid - but you need to find out why.

Find a lawyer FAST. Why was there a period before Medicaid kicked in? If there was a penalty period due to gifting, the nursing home has a right to be paid for services. Transfers of money to family friends church etc. within 5 years can result in Medicaid not paying for services until after a penalty period is done. Say average daily rate is $100. Person gifted $10,000 . Medicaid will not pay for the first 100 days of care, the person or their family has to pay. Some people give house to family and then try to go on Medicaid. Their assets have to pay for their care. You should received a notice if transfer penalty was set, and you can get resolved with legal help. And they can evict your parent for non-payment of services just like an apartment. Read your paperwork from admissions and Medicaid application. They spell it all out.