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Is a person automatically covered for long-term NH care if they already have Medicaid?


Boyfriend has Medicare, Medicaid, and Humana gold. Understand Medicare only covers up to so many days and skilled etc.


Being discharged in two days, for care as outpatient therapy. Does not live with me. Doesn't want to be a burden, I've no choice no matter how supportive I am, this is pride and I can't make him understand this is what unconditional love is.


Going home to daughter, as he already lives with her and grandchildren..unsure if they are able to accommodate him being an amputee, going to try, family may not have the skills long-term to accommodate being caregiver. He is one month today after surgery. Waiting for prosthetic as stump is healing. Doing well with pt and ot.
He is considering NH. Does having a leg amputated automatically qualify him for long term NH?


I just finished getting my mom 84 with vascular dementia approved for her NH Medicaid, but cannot compare her situation with his. Thank you so much for any advice.

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No a leg amputation doesn’t automatically qualify him for LTC. And having Medicaid health insurance doesn’t mean medicaid will pay for a nursing home. Medicaid health insurance eligibility is based on income whereas Medicaid home & community based services (which is what covers long term care) are based on income and assets.
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So it appears he didn't win the appeal to stay longer at the NH? Does daughter agree that she will be able to safely care for him at home? Hopefully the discharge team has made sure there is proper support set up.

As far as LTC Medicaid, a Dr. has to sign off that it is necessary, and no, just because you are missing a limb doesn't make it medically necessary for LTC. There are hundreds of thousands of people living normal healthy lives with missing limbs.
He must show some other need that requires skilled hands on care 24/7 for him to survive.
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Makmom56 Jun 2020
Rright, he lost the second appeal. Thanks so much for the advice and info.
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He should be looking forward to being independent. Losing a leg is not the end of life.

Encourage him to get back to living and find his own place. His daughter should not be strapped taking care of him for the rest of his life. Obviously there is a transition period, but he shouldn't be planning on staying for ever.
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Makmom56 Jun 2020
HI. the reason he lives there us he is paying bills for them. He definitely doesn't like it. Yes he is much too young for NH. Thanks so much.
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I echo worriedincali. No, an amputation does does qualify for LTC SN. Think of all the soldiers coming back from Iraq- many are amputees. You SO is 53 y/o. He is relatively young.

Once the limb is amputated the stump should heal well. When he gets his prosthesis PT & OT will teach him how to put it on and work with him to get used to it.
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The criteria seem to differ by state but I think the key is in needing assistance with ADLs, plus a doctor willing to prescribe that level of care.

I've found a good publication that may help

https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/nursing-home-level-of-care/
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Makmom56 Jun 2020
Thank you so much I will definitely check this article out. This is all new, and I'm just trying to understand what information is out there .thank you again
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He would not qualify for LTC. NHs have improved over the years but not someplace I would want to be at 53 and still had my mind. Yes, I placed my Mom in LTC but she was 89 in her last stage of Dementia. They took good care of her.

As said, he will be fit for a new leg and have PT, OT to help him learn how to use it. He needs to learn how to do as much as he can on his own. If not set up for therapy at home to help him with ADLs then I would call his doctor and ask that it be approved. Tell daughter he should do as much as he can for himself.

My daughter went with a guy who was in his late 30s. He had lost a leg. I watched as that man got himself into his jeep from a wheelchair throwing the chair into the back of the jeep and then getting into the driver seat.
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Makmom56 Jun 2020
Thank you so much. He is very proud so I think as far as the do it himself, and the progress he is making that part will be ok.
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Thank you to all.
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