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My mom is in a nursing home and her money will run out soon. I want to know when we should start the application process for Medicaid. I have gotten 2 different responses when I pose the question to admins at the Nursing Home. On told me to apply when she has 3-6 months of funds left while the other told me to wait to the funds are down to the last month then apply.
i really want to do this the right way and am afraid that I'm going to do something wrong and be liable for money I don't have. Does anyone have any experience or expertise in this?

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We had to wait until my mom's assets were less than $2,000. (spend down), but I live in California. I have heard there are different "rules" depending on what state you live in. The case manager or social worker at the nursing home should be able to guide you through the red-tape muck - that's what they are paid to do. By the way - you won't be liable for any money once her funds run out - your mother will though.
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I started applying before my mom was down to the limit (which in our state is $1,500). We got denied, of course, but the case isn't closed. She had a bunch of big bills, and boy that money went fast once I got serious about paying down. I have to finish up the application process this weekend. My understanding is it takes a long time to go through the process and get approved, so I would think the 3-month idea is pretty good -- it surprises me the nursing home doesn't have an "expert" to tell you
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When my father was in med rehab, the admissions person told me that when the time came to apply, to make certain we applied 3 months out, due to the length of time for processing.
I used to work with people that did this and they said they always stamp the first application "denied" to discourage people from applying. I know it doesn't make sense, but some people do give up.
At any rate, do it while they are still in the nursing home, because it's even harder to get it if they get out!
Never give up!
At
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1. By law the state only has 45 days to decide, though in practice they often miss this deadline.
2. If any gifts have been made within the last 5 years, the penalty period will not even start to run until you apply for Medicaid. That starts the clock running.
3. If you apply and Mom still has a little bit too much cash, you can certainly come back again when that money is gone.
4. Assuming Mom is in a facility that accepts Medicaid, the facility cannot evict Mom for non-payment of the nursing home bills during the period the state is making up its mind whether Mom qualifies or not.
5. Be aware that some states have a rule that a Medicaid applicant is not eligible for coverage in any month that the nursing home has been paid in full. Perhaps the state’s rationale is that there was no need for Medicaid, since the bill was fully paid, so they will not extend eligibility for any such month. Ac-cordingly, in such states, it is important that the nursing home be paid some-what less than the amount it bills the client, to avoid this problem.
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I guess the reason I'm applying now is "in case" mother needs to go to the NH or rehab. So now giant hurry for me. I was very surprised how much progress she's made in walking and breathing etc. If she does get the Medicaid, it should be a big help. Scares me to death though that she's not allowed to have much money -- since I am now handling her checkbook and am afraid of mismanaging the pittance.
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I mean "no" giant hurry
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Cycloops, do remember this; a doctor must make the recommendation for NH placement. Once a patient has been admitted for at least 3 days, the hospitals social worker should work with you to look at placement, if doctor recommended. She/he will ask you for the name of three different homes where you would like your loved one to stay.
Having had my father in two different facilities in one year, the thing you need to do now is start looking at various homes in your area, find out how many are "medicaid" beds. Medicare has an NH comparison chart of homes that you can use, and they have the questions that you DEFINITELY want to ask! Don't just compare the numbers, DO visit the homes. There were some rated as high as the ones that father was placed in (top of the chart) and I wouldn't place my dog in one of them!
Go during different times of day and different days of the week. Visit the cafeteria, ask for a copy of the activities and menu. See how many people work the day shift compared to the evening and weekend shifts. How often do they bathe them if they can't bathe themselves? My father's skin tears very easily and I had to request that use only a certain type of tape and he wore extra sleeves that covered his hands down to his fingers. Find out what other services they offer, how often they are visited by a doctor, what things aren't covered by medicare of medicaid, like phones, cable, hair cuts, etc.
I know it sounds like a lot, but you will thank yourself later. The last time to do this is when there is a crisis.
Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. I really dread having to do make those visits -- I thought I was going to have to a few months ago, but they let her go home after rehab at the hospital. Still, I guess it could happen down the road. Good advice
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I took my father in for a routine checkup and he came home 76 days later. You just never know!
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I would suggest applying immediately. Any funds currently remaining over the $2,000 limit should be preserved for mom’s benefit while she is receiving Medicaid. Even if it costs a few thousand to do the planning it is worth preserving what can be preserved as Medicaid falls way short in providing much needed items (eyeglasses, hearing aides, dental services) and doesn’t pay for other needed items (clothes, entertainment items). She will certainly need the money.
These two strategies will work in most states:
1. Supplemental Needs Trust. Established by a 501(c)3 non-profit organization the potential Medicaid applicant joins this existing trust and transfers (grants) assets to it. A lawyer is not needed to do this. Once transferred, the funds can be used for virtually anything pertaining to the Medicaid beneficiary’s health, maintenance, and welfare. The applicant is immediately eligible for Medicaid provided other requirements have been met. Caveats: 1. at the demise of the beneficiary any remaining funds must first be used to “pay back” the state for Medicaid funds expended before any residual goes to heirs. 2. cost of administration.
2. Personal Services Contract. A contract between the parent and an adult child whereby the adult child is now deemed an “employee” of the parent to provide care giving and advocacy services. The contract establishes an hourly rate of pay, the number of service hours per week, and the statutory remaining life expectancy of the care receiver expressed in months. The sum of these is the lump sum amount that may be legally transferred from the parent to the adult child in full advance satisfaction of the contract. Caveat: This is a taxable event with employment and/or income tax implications to both the parent and adult child.
If you are not interested in the above, or in addition to the above, consider the following before spending down to $2,000:
1. Irrevocable Funeral Trust if pre-needs have yet to be made. Most states permit up to $12,000 to be set aside in such a trust.
2. In addition to, or in lieu of, #1 above states permit between $1,500 and $2,500 to be set aside in cash assets as a “burial fund” in addition to the $2,000 asset limit.

Good luck and God bless.
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Ralph Robbins made good points. The "Supplemental Needs Trust" he refers to is known as a Pooled Trust, managed by a non-profit organization in your state. Unfortunately, many states penalize transfers into such a trust by people over age 65, so be sure to check your state law before thinking too much about this option.
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Mr Robbins
Thank you very much for your reply. I will review all that you have written and confirm my decisions with the Nursing Home to see if Ohio has any restrictions that I need to know about. Your response was most informative. I really do appreciate your help.
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Treading Water -- have you visited the Ohio Job & Family Services website under Medicaid. It might have some information you'll find helpful. There are a couple of brochures in PDF form. Kind of general, but ... I live in Ohio, and I have noted that the Area Offices on Aging have lousy websites. For our county, aging officet did eventually send somebody out to my mom's apt to talk with her about Passport (we are seeking in-home services). That was helpful. Since then we have also been getting all kinds of stuff in the mail, well maybe that's because of the Lifeline service, I don't know. Seems like she is on a mailing list now for old people services, and I actually find some of it helpful
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Mr.Heiser
Thanks for that, too! I will definatelyresearch the Ohio laws before even approaching the decision..........I also need to find out what this trust would cover as I would like to, if possible, use this fund to pay the airfare for my children and my sister and brother -in- law to attend her funeral, if possible. Thank you for your help.
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Here is a list of the Pooled Trusts available for Ohio Medicaid:

www.charitiespooledtrust.org
www.cfmf.org/trusts.html
www.commonwealthcommunitytrust.org
www.disability-foundation.org
www.sntcenter.org/Download_Page_Ohio.htm
www.mcgivneytrust.com
www.securedfutures-snt.org
www.securettrust.org

I hope that helps! For the other states, check here:
http://www.specialneedsanswers.com/resources/directory_of_pooled_trusts.asp
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Regardless of which you state you live in (because each has different rules regarding Medicaid) the important thing is for you to speak with a social worker, get the list of required information and start to accumulate that information now.

Even if the final answer is that you need to wait 90 days, use that 90 days to start to accumulate all of the paperwork that is needed. and trust me, there is a ton of paperwork that will be required.

Therefore, start now...even if that means just compiling the information. It will take you a few weeks anyway to get the bank records and confirmation of deposit slips anyway.
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