As POA, can you use your loved ones money to buy a car to transport them?
I recently moved my Aunt ( I am her POA) from another state to be closer to me and my husband. Unfortunately we both have large 4 wheel drive vehicles and she is unable to get in or out of either vehicle .
We need our current vehicles for the snowy winter months.
Your profile mentions that your aunt has Alzheimer's, did you move her into a memory care?
I have moved her to my home state from Ca. Her MC was charging almost 10k a month. On top of that every Drs appointment required a transport (not provided by MC) and a paid chaperone to accompany her into and out of the office as she would never remember how to get out.
This was $200.00 for transportation and $100.00 per chaperon. She can get around with her Walker, but her left knee is frozen. Her Alzheimer's is advanced. She is only 15 minutes away from me now.
I agree with cwillie that a medical transport service, although not as convenient, may be more cost-effective and less of an overall hassle. I would talk to an elder law attorney about whose name the vehicle should be in.
Your profile says she is in an Assist Living. They should be able to provide transportation too.
Me, too much involved. To use her money the car would need to be in her name, registered to her and insurance in her name. If Medicaid ever came into the picture, they would question money leaving her account and the car set up in ur name. I suggest, you just buy an inexpensive car to get from A to B.
She was been in MC for 2 years.
My POA states that I am able to buy and sell as long as it's for her wellbeing. I am not able to spend money for my own personal gain.
I don't think I am required to cause a loss at my own expense as my Wrangler is literally irreplaceable.
It's definitely a quandary!
Unfourtunatly, it didn't work for either of our vehicles. I have 30" tires on my Wrangler and my hubby drives a Chevy truck.
Her left knee doesn't bend.
Is your aunt in a facility near you?
I must say that once my mom was dxed with dementia, I didn't transport her myself. This was because when we DID drive her (from rehab to her new AL) she grabbed the steering wheel from my husband, almost forcing us off the road (on a very busy highway).
From there on in, we had her transported via medical transport to doc appointments.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
If she has adequate funds, then paying Uber for those appointments are considered part of her spend down. Just keep good records. Because Uber is charged, you might want to match up a cross reference to those professional payments. I could do this by keeping bills sequential when I was POA for my mom
Depending on your circumstances, Original Medicare may cover scheduled/regular non-emergency ambulance transportation if the ambulance supplier receives a written order from your doctor in advance stating that transport is medically necessary. However, Medicare does not cover ambulance transportation just because you lack access to alternative transportation. The order must be dated no earlier than 60 days before the trip.
For example, if you are receiving dialysis treatments, Medicare may cover ambulance services to and from your home to the nearest dialysis facility, if other transportation could endanger your health.
Keep in mind that Medicare does not require a doctor’s written order for coverage of emergency ambulance transportation.
In certain states, ambulance suppliers must receive prior authorization from Medicare before providing scheduled, non-emergency ambulance transportation. These states include:
Delaware
District of Columbia
Maryland
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
If the prior authorization request is approved, Medicare should cover your ambulance trips so long as the ambulance supplier also receives a written order from your doctor stating that transport is medically necessary. If Medicare denies your request, the ambulance supplier or you should submit a new prior authorization request. You have the right to appeal denials. Keep in mind that if you choose to receive services after a denial, you may be responsible for the full cost of your ambulance transportation.
If Medicare does not cover the kind of transportation you need, you may have other options. For example, Medicaid may cover some types of transportation that Medicare does not. Additionally, some Medicare Advantage Plans may cover additional types of transportation as a supplemental benefit. You can also contact ElderCare or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn about local resources that may be available to you.
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Need to Know
Upcoming Medicare Minute:
Medicare and Transportation Services
Sometimes the toughest part of getting health care is not a procedure or the recovery time, but just getting to a doctor or hospital. From emergency ambulances to scheduled rides, this Medicare Minute reviews transportation options for your health care.
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Fee: $0
Medicare Minutes are short, engaging presentations on current Medicare topics hosted by the Medicare Rights Center. Each month’s presentation is streamed live on your Medicare Interactive profile and will help you learn more about your benefits and make the most of your Medicare coverage. You can see the full Medicare Minute schedule for the year and add the webinars to your calendar.
https://mailchi.mp/medicarerights.org/extra-help-spap-294045?e=7447a0586a
Who would question what you do besides Medicaid should she need them?
Is her son in the picture at all? Is he an heir?
A visit with an elder law attorney might be worth your time.
How is your mom? Good to see you on the forum. I hope you and DH have been well.
I was able to see her and kind of mend some fences.
My cousin is not in the Trust.
I think my Uncle was so disgusted with him that he took him out of his will.
My brother and I are the only family left.
God bless
Not legal advice but this also seems like one of those hard things to prove in the general sense. I would speak with a lawyer experienced on the subject they can show you the creative ways to get around such things.