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Peggins Asked June 2016

Should I keep making premium payments on a Medicare supplemental policy if my husband is on Medicaid in a long term care facility?

When my husband entered the LTC facility 13 months ago the financial officer advised me to keep his supplemental policy explaining that if he were to need hospitalization (her example was a broken hip) that medicare would pay for that and he would need the supplemental to pay the 20%. But tonight a friend suggested that medicaid would pick up what medicare would not cover and I need not maintain his supplemental. If she is correct that is over $2,500. that I could have better spent.
Not only is emotional journey very difficult, but getting answers on how the system actually works and the financial aspects of it is horrifying. I actually had a state worker request over 30 financial documents from me and when I asked about the determination he complained about the amount of paperwork I sent!

pamstegma Jun 2016
OK, in that case drop the supplemental. But be absolutely sure YOU have coverage.

Peggins Jun 2016
Pamstegma, thank you for your answer, perhaps I should be more clear. My husband was approved for medicaid almost two years ago. I am not yet on medicare so the supplemental policy only covers him. The financial officer at the facility advised me to keep his supplemental policy but now I am questioning that advise. I am thinking that medicaid would pick up any costs that medicare does not , like 20% of any therapy that he receives at the facility, and I no longer need to maintain the supplemental for $189. per month.

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pamstegma Jun 2016
If you are still Medicaid "pending", and this policy covers you as well, don't give it up just yet. The facility should be assisting you with the application. They should also be answering your questions.
They do ask for 5 years of financials, including tax returns, bank statements with cancelled check images (all of them) and proof of investments.
Hopefully you did not gift anything to your kids in the last 5 years.

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