Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
J
joeslats Asked October 2018

Question regarding Medicare, Medicaid application, and state of residency.

My mom will be released from a SNF in FL. She is a legal resident of PA. She has "temporarily" resided with me, for health reasons, in FL, for years before a recent hospitalization, that required hospitalization and the present SNF. Where would she apply for Medicaid - in PA or FL? I am concerned that should I change her legal address to FL, before filing, I may run the risk of jeopardizing her Medicare supplement insurance, which lists her address in PA?

JoAnn29 Oct 2018
I would say she is a resident of Fla. Has she been getting mail at your address? Why after years of living in Fla do you think she is still considered a resident of PA?

Guestshopadmin Oct 2018
Medicaid is state based. If you want her to stay in Florida, you apply in Florida. The rules for supplemental can differ. You may be able to find similar plan in FL or not need one if she’s on Medicaid. Does the facility have a social worker? Most of them have a good grasp of Medicaid or can refer you.

ADVERTISEMENT


Countrymouse Oct 2018
What happens if you first inform her Medicare provider that her address is now changing from PA to FL because she is moving to be permanently under your supervision? Why do you think that might jeopardise her supplemental cover?

I suppose quite a bit depends on the reasons for those "" around "temporarily." If this was a polite use of the word temporarily to soothe your mother's feelings about it, that's one thing, and it wouldn't be so unusual either. But if you were intentionally withholding information that you ought to have passed to her insurer... I hope you weren't.

MargaretMcKen Oct 2018
I don't know, but I would suggest that you ring up the powers that be, in both states, and ask, perhaps without giving a name - though they shouldn't want to identify a query. Get the name of the person who gave you information. Phone a second time in each state and see if you get the same answer. There is a lot of money potentially at stake, so it's worth acting like a private sleuth!

polarbear Oct 2018
Hello...

Any experienced caregivers with answers?

Please chime in.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter