My mom is 86 and in an assisted living facility. I expect that at some point she will either pass quietly or end up in the hospital from an illness. If the latter happens, she does have insurance, but I think the deductible for hospitalization is $3,000, and I cannot pay that for her. She has no assets, and the A.A. place takes all but $60 a month of her SS. Will the hospital try to force me to sign something agreeing to pay her bills??
Vegaslady--she's definitely only on Medicare--they pay a portion of her health insurance through Kaiser. As for the facility, she is in an adult foster care home that is a private care home which has an arrangement with the county we're in. The county subsidizes part of her rent payment. These are not your regular assisted living places. They're for indigent people. Medicaid will only be for when she needs a nursing home. I know they have some benefits she could get now to help pay for her meds, I think, but
I am reluctant to apply for Medicaid for her just yet. She gave her home to my brother 4 years ago, via a quit claim deed. I know there is a 5-year look back, and am worried that they will not pay for her entirely, knowing the home was just given away. Of course, my brother has not helped at all... Just crossing my fingers that she does okay for at least one more year.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospital-care-inpatient.html
If she has no assets, she is "judgement proof". Just don't YOU sign for anything.
It's been my experience that ER's and rehabs will try to get family - usually an adult child - to sign to agree to providing care by way of taking them home and/or agree to be responsible for costs. In fact, many - and usually the social worker, in my experience- will lie or very strongly imply that you have no choice. Don't let anyone bully you into it - unless you are the legal guardian- it isn't your responsibility.