He seems to think that since our mother has no money to speak of and no real assets, she can be placed pretty simply. He tells me that the facility will just take her monthly social security check, and the government will pay the rest. I find that really hard to believe. It has to be more involved than that. Any advice or information that anyone could provide would be very helpful!!! Thanks!!!
No, it isn't easy. The Medicaid application from what I've heard requires financial records going back 5 years. I've never filled out an application, so don't have first-hand knowledge, but I've heard it is quite a bit of work.
And as I mentioned before, the process of applying for Medicaid is lengthy however you may be able to have your mom placed in a facility while she's going through the Medicaid process. I did this with my dad. I had to keep the social worker at the facility up to date on my progress with Medicaid in order for my dad to stay there during the application process but my dad was already in a facility when the topic of Medicaid came up. My dad had gone from the hospital to rehab and it was while he was in rehab that we were informed that my dad wasn't in any kind of shape to go home. At this point Medicare was still footing the bill and the social worker gave me an informational booklet on Medicaid that was very helpful.
I guess my point is that my dad was already established in the facility when we began the Medicaid process. You may have to pick a facility for your mom and get with the social worker before your mom moves in and see if you can admit your mom while you apply for Medicaid on her behalf.
It took my dad about 6 months to be approved for Medicaid. He had already died by the time we got his approval but Medicaid did back pay the facility on my dad's behalf even though my dad was dead so the nursing home got their money in the end.
I'm sure there is something online about the Medicaid process and the documents you'll need in order to apply. I don't know the website but if your Google "Medicaid" I'm sure the website will pop up and will probably have some kind of menu which will include what you need to apply. Good luck!