We have to be careful with the caregiver, she & FIL could both be in trouble if the agency finds out, but he is the one they would sue We keep trying to talk him into telling the agency he needs 24-7 care and just pay the agency as he should. The overnight thing was just supposed to be temporary for a few weeks after a medical procedure. Yes, he is scared to lose the caregiver, she is wonderful, but the situation is just wrong.
@somemom, that is a scary situation. I don’t understand why the agency would sue your FIL, though. It could be that he owes some employment taxes, but that would be an IRS issue not an agency issue. The agency would probably fire the caregiver.
It is hard to balance, on the one hand, keeping out of our parents’ financial decisions and letting them live their own lives, and on the other hand making sure that they are not being stolen from to an extent that would make them unable to continue paying for their own care. One poster talked about her mother being “entitled to her own folly,” I’ve always liked that. But con men (and women) are not entitled to savings needed to keep seniors cared for.
The caregiver in this case is a very nice woman who is not trying to scam them as far as we can tell. But he offered her $100/night to stay over while he recovered from a procedure, that was almost 2 years ago & it has not stopped. She did not solicit that, he offered. But he could pay over $2k less per month and have more services if he paid the agency for 24/7 care.
He is scared, so scared, of losing her, as if no one else on earth could do the job.
Very sad & we are all over 1000 miles away.
Does anyone on this thread have any experience with parents on Medicaid? My mother is very low income,and she has only social security. (Long story - her “life savings” was lost in a house investment overseen by a relative who never met a dollar she wouldn’t spend. That may be a slight exaggeration. But you get the general idea.) I am wondering if we should get her qualified by Medicaid, but I really know nothing about the kind of care she would receive as a Medicaid recipient. Can doctors refuse to see Medicaid patients, for example? I am just starting to research this, and it’s very difficult to u determine what’s what. I can afford to contribute for insurance for her indefinitely, depending on what other things come up, but a couple of people have suggested she should check into Medicaid. Thanks in advance for any information.
My understanding is that docs around here are mostly only seeing new patients “by referral.” I’m not clear on whether any are accepting MedicAid patients, but it nay vary regionally. In any case, she will get care at community health centers, urgent care and hospitals.
Yes, you can refuse Medicaid patients, but those are mostly private practices. The major medical centers in my area don’t seem to have a cap on the number of Medicaid patients. Plus, if your established in a practice, most won’t “drop” you if you change insurances. I would sign her up now if you feel she qualifies. Eligibility does change from state to state. If she owns a house, it can complicate things.
It may be easier to get into a facility as ‘private pay’ and then spend down to being covered by Medicaid - perhaps others can chime in on their experiences in their state.
Some places have better nursing home care too - if near state lines, that can also be a consideration.
Perhaps researching based on the type of facility you think your mom may need and how to have that work.
IIRC, Medicaid is essentially Medicare for the very poor under 65. So I am not sure one can have both, unless one uses Medicaid for Medicare Part B.
You can have both Medicare and Medicaid - it’s called dual eligible. Medicare still covers what it always did; Medicaid picks up the difference. At least that’s my mother’s experience, but she qualified after being private pay at a nursing home. I don’t know if there are different rules if you live in the community.
Being in a nursing home, she doesn’t have to worry about doctors refusing to see her, but she only sees the doctors affiliated with the nursing home. Private practices do have the option of refusing to take Medicaid, but they can also refuse to take Medicare too.
If she would keep her present docs, you can call and ask if anything would change, if she goes on Medicaid. You also need to learn how her present SS income would be affected. Some of that depends on where she is living (home vs facility.) And if you can pay for her insurance (Medicare?) then definitely look in to the supplements (Part F?)
MediCAID pays for the majority of long term care for elders in the US, IIRC.
Your’re right, CF Medicaid pays for nursing home care once someone qualifies for Medicaid.
But – know that in some states, there are takeback provisions. A house or other assets may be claimed from the estate after the elder has passed away to repay the state for Medicaid services rendered. If the elder has given assets to others during the lookback period (37 mo. before going on Medicaid, IIRC), that can also effect when Medicaid coverage would actually begin.
Having Medicaid pay for care does have rules - they don’t take a home away from a surviving spouse, but I am sure lean living. Yes the look-back period is so assets are used to care for the people before Medicaid/government ‘charity’. FIL/MIL have put their home in their sons’ names - but if it is needed for their care, then it is. They wanted to have something to pass on to their sons. Front porch needs fixing and estimate came up $15,000 - perhaps can be done for less, but it is major work due to ground support and the sagging. MIL said when they bought the house in early 1960’s, that is more than they paid for the house. In the 1960’s, wanted br/ba room addition but didn’t want to spend the $$; did finally get that done so they have a downstairs br and ba. The house does have good bones.
^^True that they don’t take a house from a surviving spouse (or one who is living in the primary residence). Other property is fair game in the spend-down.
I think the look-back period is 5 years.
Shellfell, yes, it’s now five years. Used to be three. Each state has different rules, so check with local counsel.
Thanks all. This is good information. It’s very complicated. I see how easy it would be for someone “helpful” to take advantage of people. My mom has had very little money for several years, and the only house she kind of owns is the one she lives in. Her SS is very low, so I’m pretty sure she qualifies. I will be looking to contact elder services or something like that in my county soon, just to learn the right questions to ask. Then I can worry about Florida.
If she is a veteran or the spouse/widow of a veteran she may qualify for aid from the VA Aid and Attendance program http://www.americanveteransaid.com/landing/lp_2/aid_and_attendance_2.html?gclid=CKLzzNvruMYCFdgLgQodad0MNA
http://www.elderlawanswers.com/long-term-care-benefits-for-veterans-and-surviving-spouses-6158
Wouldn’t that trigger gift taxes?