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MDaughter50 Asked June 2022

I’m back again, and so is the SNF discussion. Is there a way to be admitted without a 3-day hospital stay?

Hi gang - I accidentally deleted my account (long tired night wrong button) but it’s MadDaughter here.


There has been no change with my mom at home. The therapists are coming once a week and our friend that is the purported caregiver is shaking us down for more money while working less hours. She suddenly couldn’t come today so I have been caregiving all day. There’s a whole other mess of things she’s doing but today, finally, mom saw the light and realized that the friend is taking advantage of both of us. It didn’t start out this way but it eroded slowly.


I have a question, though. Since mom is still bedridden and trying to get her help has been few and far between, she claims that she wants to go back to the SNF. I told her to think hard about it and not be impulsive, but at least she would get meals and someone would get her out of bed to exercise every day. Is there a way to do this without the 3-day hospital stay? I mean, if I took her to the ER likely they would find something but they might look at her and say, “Yeah, you’re 85 years old and should just go home.” She’s past the 30-day readmit without one, but is there a way to just go straight to the SNF? This has been a hellacious rollercoaster that always winds up stuck in the upside down position.

EmotionallyNumb Jun 2022
Some Medicare Advantage plans waive the three night inpatient stay normally needed for SNF placement.

MDaughter50 Jun 2022
Thanks for all the responses, the way she is now she needs hospitalization I’m sure. We’ll just have to do it.

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97yroldmom Jun 2022
Rehab won’t be covered by Medicare, she would have to private pay for room and board BUT Part B of Medicare will pay for the rehab portion. I just did this with my DH aunt. Talk to admissions at a couple of facilities to see how they can help. Aunt is 95.

This doesn’t have to be a permanent stay if mom recovers enough to go back home.

JoAnn29 Jun 2022
Are you talking SNF permanently or are you talking SNF meaning Rehab. Rehab, you need a hospital stay and transfer. To change her mind may have passed.

If your talking permanent, if Mom can prepay for a while, you can get her in a SNF if they have a bed available pretty much right away. You need to make sure they will take Medicaid if she may ever need it.

Call her PCP and see if he can order Rehab based on in home not working.

Isthisrealyreal Jun 2022
I would contact Medicare and ask for their guidance on how to get her into rehab without the hospital stay. Maybe her doctor can help you.

sp19690 Jun 2022
Is she actually going to stay in SNF or keep doing the back and forth dance with you?
MDaughter50 Jun 2022
Well she can dance all she wants, I've told her what needs to happen. I've left a message with her doctor this afternoon, so this dance party is over.
MJ1929 Jun 2022
My mother went straight from home to a SNF she didn't even need to be in and was there for seven months on private pay. There was no hospital stay required.

BarbBrooklyn Jun 2022
How about you step back, call APS and report your mom as a vulnerable adult?

At the same time, you call 911.

Get mom to the hospital and the to rehab. And then to LTC.
MDaughter50 Jun 2022
Yeah, I’m afraid it’s going to come to that. Last ditch effort for her to have SOME autonomy but backfired in the worst way. This is all trial and failure, not trial and effort.
Cover999 Jun 2022
Hi

You answered your question with the second to last question in the second paragraph. She could have gone back, if she went within the 30 day time period

She may be eligible for the 3 day waiver. You can Google Search this and other information regarding your issue.

Good luck
MDaughter50 Jun 2022
Well I have a very stubborn senior that was sure she’d get better care at home, then, she didn’t. I would have preferred she went back. Sadly I don’t think there’s going to be a good outcome here. I guess it’s off to Google…

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