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Oedgar23 Asked September 2023

What happens to the rest of their bills if they go on Medicaid and all income goes to the NH or AL?

I recently got some info that a local assisted living that my husband’s family has experience with has a few Medicaid beds. It is a decent place. I’ve been in there many times with his grandmother. I spoke to my mother about this, and she was somewhat receptive, but not ready to do anything soon. She would have to get approved for Medicaid, and I believe all but $60 of her monthly income would go towards paying the facility. The problem is that she has credit card, debt, medical bills, etc. How do those get paid? It will take everything she has to maybe get two months’ worth of payments into the facility before hopefully Medicaid picks it up. I also fear putting her in there, using all of her resources, and then her Medicaid is rejected. Because she had community helper type Medicaid for a couple of years before I came on the scene, and failed to disclose her small amount of assets.


She does on her home outright, and has put it on a ladybird deed to me so it is supposed to be protected from Medicaid look back. I am completely fine with selling the home to pay for her care. The problem is that the home is hoarded, needs lots of repairs. We would not get much for it. It would buy maybe a year in assisted living? And then what. I’m still not convinced she’s going to get Medicaid if she applies.

Pjdela Sep 2023
You should not be having to pay for her care. It sounds,like you are trying hard to take good care of her and I commend you for your efforts.
In my experience with AL, they did not accept medicaid- only SN did. Not sure what the policies are where you are but if it is rare to find AL medicaid beds, I would hop on it.
From some of your other posts it seems you have more than enough to deal with so placement may be better for all. Maybe assuring her you will still be looking out for her and visiting but not having to be hands on caregiving will help her to consider going. Also, what will happen to her if something happens to you? I was an only, so this was a big consideration for Mom and I when she went to AL.
Oedgar23 Sep 2023
If something happens to me… that’s a good question. My husband would be POA. He has a demanding job with rotating bizarre shift schedule, his own 70 something parents who are starting with medical issues (still great mentally) and a 99 year old grandma. She’s in AL but family still goes over daily. If I’m gone or disabled, mother would HAVE to go to a facility. I had no idea AL would take Medicaid. Husbands aunt mentioned it off hand. Next time I visited grandma at the AL I began asking questions. They have five beds and two open at the moment.
Pjdela Sep 2023
As each state's rules can differ, I would consult with accountant and/or certified elder-law attorney to be certain. Perhaps the one who drew up the "lady bird" deed?
Oedgar23 Sep 2023
If she gets more serious about going to AL I will check with the lawyer. It costs me $300 every time I talk to him, so I have to manage that. I know mothers money “should “ pay for legal fees but so far it’s not. Her savings is in IRA and bonds so not very accessible. The lawyer also drew up a loan agreement so anything we do help her with won’t set off red flags to Medicaid. I have probably spent $5000 so far in dealing with her, and helping her get her power of attorney set up, utilities, kept on, etc. The problem is that the majority of this was spent before the loan agreement was signed, so I won’t necessarily get that back. She does not have much, and I’ve never been involved in this to get what money she has, but I’m definitely trying to prevent myself from losing any more money.

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MeDolly Sep 2023
The bills forget about them, she will be judgement proof.

As for the house, sell it as is, when the money runs out, Medicaid will step in.

Follow up with Medicaid redo whatever is required.

AlvaDeer Sep 2023
When there is no money bills don't get paid. They would be able to get a lien legally on any property she might own, and enter the lines alone with Medicaid which will be doing the same thing. Bills that don't get paid result in loss of credit. As she will not be needing or using credit that isn't much of a threat. So just let the bills go. No one will be able to attach SS or the small amount left to her spending money. The bills will enter the coffers of all unpaid credit bills everywhere.

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