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jolobo Asked December 2020

Medicaid - requested statements but bank blocked me. Has anyone else had this problem?

My dad has two banks. One was very helpful and is gathering 2.5 months of statements for me for the Medicaid home health aides. The other simply said I have to get a letter from Medicaid requesting this! They have my POA from when I did this for mom in 2017. This bank doesn't know they are doing and simply says no to anything they don't understand. I had to threaten a lawyer when they would not honor my POA to help my mom and then they gave in. Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think I can do? I don't believe Medicaid will write letters to banks.

Tothill Dec 2020
When my step dad was dying he had accounts in a bank and a credit union. Mum was his POA and Executrix. I cannot remember which was which, but while he was alive, one happily accepted the POA (it had been prepared by a lawyer), the other needed a strongly worded letter from the lawyer to get its act in gear.

After he died, things switched, the one that had been helpful with the POA dug in its heels over the Will and Mum being Executrix, the other was easy to deal with.

The one that was a problem, after he died, finally started acting appropriately when Mum had a complete breakdown in the bank. It was not the staff person's fault, it was their systems, and it took an upper manager to override the barriers.

In your case, you have the paperwork where Medicaid is requesting the bank statements, can you take that in to them?

AlvaDeer Dec 2020
If this does nothing else it does notify people to keep monthly bank statements, receipts, expenditures, all records. They just have to be kept. So sorry you are going through this. Many POA have a little notification of the penalties involved financially for ignoring a legitimate POA, letters testamentary, certification of trust and other legal papers. I always encourage people to get these major papers done with an attorney; it is often worth it in the end, and in the case of a poorly drafted POA, it is often too late to do it right.
Sure do wish you good luck. Sure hope you update us on what works. And do know in banks, GO TO THE TOP; do not bother with tellers and account folks at desks. They often are poorly trained and know nothing. And as you already showed us, do make the statement "Are you aware that ignoring a legally drafted _________has penalties under the law?"

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XenaJada Dec 2020
Wells Fargo?

JoAnn29 Dec 2020
My POA was never questioned at my bank but maybe that was because Mom and I had accts there for years. And, I live in a small town. I had my POA on file at the bank. This isn't Wells Fargo is it? I hear they are buggers about POAs.

This really surprises me because banks must have to do this all the time for people who apply for Medicaid. Have you spoken to an officer? There is a big turnover of people who work the window. They can't know everything. My bank has the main branch in another town. Have you tried going over there head. And you are assuming that Medicaid won't send a letter?

Do you have access to Dads account online? You may be able to go back and print out statements.

You will be surprised who will not except a POA. Government agencies for one. SS does not recognize them.

MJ1929 Dec 2020
Just contact the bank and ask them what paperwork they need from the POA in order to honor said POA.

As was mentioned elsewhere, banks like to have their own POA paperwork in place. It just is what it is because anyone could put together a fake POA and present it to them.

Is your parent able to speak to the bank personally to confirm the legitimacy of the POA? My dad went into the bank with me when I took over his finances, so they knew who I was and that he had indeed OK'd the POA.

Yes, it was a pain, but keep in mind they're responsible for his money, and be glad they're protecting it.

sjplegacy Dec 2020
It sounds like you have already resolved the banking problem by threatening a lawyer involvement. Many banks require you fill out their own POA documents before complying. I'm sure Medicaid wouldn't write any letters on your behalf. Other establishments may also want you to fill out their own documents.
jolobo Dec 2020
But what is the point of having a POA then? I didn't threaten a lawyer yet, this time. That was the problem I had with them with my mom back in 2017. I have not gone that far with this current problem. I don't know what to do. I am going to call the Aging Services in his county to see what advice they will give about this. They helped me with my mom's Medicaid application.

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