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EBeach Asked October 2015

Haven't received bill for private room charge. When should I expect it?

My mom has been in a nursing home since the end of May. Medicare and Medicaid pay for what her social security doesn't. She is in a private room and when she moved in I agreed that we would pay out of pocket the additional cost for her private room. We have not been billed for her private room once yet. My concern with this is, will we receive a huge bill for it sometime in the future? The nursing home billing employee already discussed it with me and she said she would write up a bill, but I never received it. Is there a certain time they have to send the bill for us to have to pay them? Such as can they bill a year or so later for something that is going on now? I feel like I make no sense and I am having a hard time explaining my question. I'm burnt out at the moment!

Llamalover47 Nov 2015
freqflyer: You're correct on the 20 day Medicare protocol.

JessieBelle Nov 2015
The days of estates are definitely gone for the middle class, FF. Increase in the length of life and cost of end-of-life care evaporates them completely. I hope that my mother has enough to carry her through without having to apply for Medicaid. We never know.

That's actually kind of glum for FT family caregivers, y'know. Say that a person quits their job and loses all the salary and retirement benefits. Then there is no estate, either. Family caregivers really do have to be careful to make sure their own needs are met when caregiving. Otherwise there will be nothing left for them at the end when it comes to resources.

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freqflyer Nov 2015
After 20 days, Medicare stops paying, and it becomes self-pay. I will check with Hospice as I would think some items would be paid even if one is in a facility.

In a way I wonder how fair this is. My parents saved big time and were frugal their whole lives, they did without, and now Dad is writing checks left and right for long-term-care for Mom. If they had shopped until they dropped and didn't save for rainy days, then Medicaid would pay for everything. It's like being rewarded for not saving. Don't get me wrong, I am glad Medicaid is there for those who really need it.

Makes me wonder why I am saving for my old age? Is it going to get me much better care? No, as those residents on Medicaid are getting the same care as my Mom on self-pay. In a fancier place? Maybe for a short time until the money runs out, and at $132,000 a year [$11k per month] it will disappear quickly.

JessieBelle Nov 2015
If you're concerned about them billing all at once on down the road, set back the payment each month in savings. Then if they do that, you'll have the money ready to pay. I would ask if anything is owed, though. They might be sending the bill to the wrong address.

ramiller Nov 2015
Nice to know you never have to buy another pack of depends or boost unless of course we need them....oh please not yet!

ramiller Nov 2015
FF when you are on medicaid everything is paid except hair salon and private room if she is in one. EVERYTHING else is paid for so no worries there.

JoAnn29 Nov 2015
Not sure about the rest but oxygen should be paid by Medicare and supplimental. Mom's balance was $20 a month. Air mattress should be covered too.

freqflyer Nov 2015
EBeach, go again the nursing home's business office and ask if there are any charges.

My Mom is in a nursing home, she started the middle of September and I received a bill last week. My Mom was in under Medicare for the 20 days, then she became self-pay right after that.

Maybe it is different when one has Medicaid. I wonder if Medicaid pays for everything, where my Mom has to pay for general costs not included in the daily room rate such as laundry, air mattress, oxygen, wheelchair, Boost, depends, etc.

EBeach Nov 2015
Thanks for everyone's responses. I'm just wondering if they can send a bill in like two years from now and I'd still be required to pay it. We are moving, my mom included, next spring. I'd love it taken care of before then but if we don't receive a bill, how late can they charge us for the room?

Llamalover47 Nov 2015
Possibly they have missed sending you the bill..
Or it got lost in the mail. You have the choice to call them or wait for the bill to arrive.

JoAnn29 Nov 2015
Medicare does not pay for long term nursing care. Even if Medicaid takes a while it shouldn't be a year or more.

Llamalover47 Nov 2015
Reminder: Medicare sometimes takes a loooooooooong time to catch up to real time.CaringForTwo: Why would you be frantic? Anxiety does no good and even elevates your blood pressure. Calm down.

JoAnn29 Nov 2015
No one should wait this long to be billed. Once they offset with the SS, then medicaid a bill should go out with the next billing. If u get nowhere with the clerk, say u want to talk to a supervisor. There is no reason you should be billed this late. If u get nowhere, talk to the administrator.

lovingkid Nov 2015
My mom was put in the nursing home in April three years ago. I was informed of the additional amount to pay in June. From then on I received a bill monthly. I am from North Carolina. Maybe different states do different things. I would surely think that you should have received a bill by now.

noGuilt Nov 2015
We are in the same situation with our mother. She's still in a private room and we haven't received a bill for that extra amount since she qualified for Medicare in April.

CaringForTwo Nov 2015
Oh my gosh I would be frantic at this point too, and I hope someone has a good suggestion for you. Meanwhile, does the NH have a social worker on staff? That person might help you get answers.

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