I have been working on getting my mother eligible for Medicaid since she was put in a home months ago with severe Dementia. One of the last things I did was to set up a funeral trust and I am so glad I did. The funeral home was so helpful. However, she did not have enough cash in her bank accounts as she has been living off of pension and social security month to month. Now she is eligible for Medicaid and I have not yet been reimbursed from her accounts for her funeral planning. It came out of my savings for her. I know Medicaid states all income has to go to the home, but is there a way to get my savings reimbursed?
itll be be viewed that you on your own made a decision and that was to “choose” to pay for mom’s funeral preneed, her property taxes, her cats vet bills, etc.
to possibly get around this, you all would have needed to have done some type of a memo of understanding or promissory note with terms as to how repayment for things you paid for for her person or her property was to be done; AND drawn up before $ paid; AND signed, notarized & with witnesses. There would need to be something of value that can be collateralized from which the future payments would come from. SS as a source can’t work as it’s not collateral. It would need to be - in my experience- something she fully owned, like house or land or securities & that can be sold to repay. If on Medicaid, the only asset still available would be her home as that can be retained as an exempt asset for Medicaid.
You can challenge Medicaid on this and seek a waiver of some of the $ from her monthly income (like her SS$) that she’s required to pay to the NH each mo as her copay. Expect that to take months to go through whatever waiver & appeals system is set up for your state.......
the use of her personal needs allowance to repay you imho is kinda a Grey area to go into. In theory the PNA $ is to be used for things she needs that Medicaid does not pay for. Like getting weekly or bimonthly beauty shoppe visits or paying for an outing or replacement of clothing or toiletries or a large print magazine subscription sent to her at the NH. My mom’s PNA in TX was $60 a mo. $50-$60 seems to be standard. It realistically cannot cover stuff they need & you / family / friends end up paying for stuff or they go without. The beauty shoppe I’ve found is kinda important as they go in lil groups and gives ladies an opportunity to chat & know others away from the daily routine.
I am curious who helped you with your application that you didn't understand that she didn't have any money and that is what makes her eligible, not outstanding debt.
Can you share so other's don't make the same mistake.