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Mother is in a SNF. We will be moving out of state and it will leave her with no family close by. Two siblings and a brother are all in Reno/Tahoe/NoCal, much closer. She’s almost immobile, so a SNF is the best place for her as opposed to the family home.

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She will need to be moved at family expense depending on her mobility. It is usually customary that she becomes a resident of that state which also means payment of her care. A Medicaid application will need to be filled. Depending on the state, there could be a wait list. You need to contact both states for info. Does she have a guardian appointed by the state? If yes then state to state rectification will need to be paid to probate.
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GSDlover Jun 15, 2025
Thank you for the timely answer. It sounds as if this will be too much of a stretch logistically as well as financially. Sadly, she’s in a SNF and probably really needs to be in assisted living. She ended up in SNF because she had her second total knee replacement and couldn’t walk. She can get around now with her walker, but I know she needs meals cooked for her and her laundry done. This all happened so quickly.
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This is a tough problem. It’s probably doable but there are many aspects that will be a challenge and someone will need to foot the bill for transportation, private pay until a SNF bed is found and residency established. Each state has slightly different Medicaid rules so a patient who qualifies in one state might not in another state.

Since mom already has Cal-Med the No Ca. relative would be the easier move to as she is already approved for Cal-Med. In that case, state residency would be done and state Medicaid already approved. See what is available and speak with the admissions office where you want her to go and see if they can help you arrange the transfer of medical records, meds and mom. Does someone manage mom’s SS or does it go directly to the current NH? That can be an issue to work through.
Is someone her POA? Does she have dementia? Does she want to move?

Give us more info and you will get better feedback. Many have asked a similar question and those threads might be of interest to you. Use the 🔍 at the top of the page to access.

Give us some feedback on what you find out. We learn from one another. Good luck.
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GSDlover Jun 15, 2025
The transport wouldn’t be so bad if she had a place lined up for her to go to. I understand it’s done state by state and is red tape. She may just have to stay put!
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Medicaid cannot be transferred from State to State. There maybe a residency requirement. Call Social Services in the County you will be residing in and ask a Medicaid caseworker your questions. As said, getting her there will be at your expense. With her immobile, it would mean a land transport, very expensive.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Thank you for all the informative feedback. I should state my mother cannot drive, she uses a walker, is not bed bound, so some mobility for sure. After speaking with a nurse yesterday, she needs oversight and some help, but not really nursing. Maybe moving her to an AL, but staying in the state would be a better option. I only ask about out of state in the event we move, she has no other ties to this state. Not sure if I should post a new question about moving her from SNF to AL.
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Halifax1896 Jun 22, 2025
Hi if she can walk with the walker, can’t you consider a plane flight instead of the long drive other people have detailed? In the event you do need to move her to another state.
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GS, does Medi-cal cover AL?

If she is on Medicaid you want to make sure that any decision is covered by her assistance and she doesn't lose coverage.
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GSDlover Jun 14, 2025
I should have been more clear in my post, mother is in Idaho, three of my siblings are in Reno/Tahoe/Bay Area. My husband and I are considering moving to Florida and we’re exploring ideas of moms options of possibly moving closer to three kids/grandkids in NV.
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I moved my husband from Minnesota to Arizona in 2019. It required a lot of planning, help, and saving up money for the anticipated interim. Unfortunately, you can not apply for medicaid benefits in one state until you are a legal resident of that state. So, as soon as she leaves Idaho, you will need to report to the Idaho medicaid office that she is no longer an Idaho resident.
Then, once established in the new state of residence, apply for medicaid.
Be prepared to cover costs for 30 days or more. She can be admitted to a nursing home as private pay, pending the medicaid approval, which the nursing home may accept and wait for payment, even if it takes a while.

Let me tell you, moving across country with a non-mobile person with dementia is not for the faint of heart! I had two people help with the actual drive. We made many more stops than we had planned for. Mostly for bathroom breaks. My husband was in diapers, so we had to find a cheap motel room to get him changed and cleaned up, then back in the car and on the road. I had saved up enough money (it took me close to a year) not only for the moving expense, but to live on for a month, pending the new medicaid approval, which incidentally is also tied to my income, as I care for him at home. I didn't have to find a new care facility, but what I recall from when he was initially transferred to a skilled nursing facility from the hospital years ago, the nursing home waited for payment several months, then I had to pay the retroactive spend down amount, which was several thousand dollars.
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GSDlover Jun 15, 2025
The drive wouldn’t be so bad if we knew she had a place lined up to go to. It all seems like so much red tape, the SNF she is in, the SW at the facility took care of the Medicaid application process. Thank you for the timely response:)
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GSDlover: Prayers forthcoming.
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I just did this with my Mother as the only one of three daughters who would have her from where she lived her whole life in Va to me in NC both sisters lived near her. Let me tell you it’s a EXTREMELY difficult process that is mentally exhausting. I can tell you each state has different levels of income requirements. For example you can only make up to $1200 per month in ANY income SS ETC so my mom didn’t qualify for Medicaid she has Medicare and they will not pay for transport unless a Dr seems then to be “MEDICALLY” necessary even then it HAS to be in the documentation orders on discharge written and deemed by the DR. Then you can submit that to the Medicare for reimbursement BUT… they did say and of course they’re going to try and deny it, but you have to appeal basically at the end of the day it’s making you jump through hoops so that you will give up to not get reimbursed. You have to keep fighting. That’s what they want is for you to give up, but you will have to pay out-of-pocket. Ours was $1800 and done months ago. We’re still waiting on Medicare to reimburse I sympathize with you and my prayers and thoughts go out to anyone in this position it’s horrifying and so mentally physically challenging all of it. Best of luck to you! Oh and FYI, call around transport companies they all will give you different quotes the less your family member needs as far as any IVs oxygen medical care while transporting the less money my mom only needed oxygen. She just was in capable of walking or sitting good luck.!
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KPWCSC Jun 15, 2025
@Sadbutrue

I don't think OP was asking about transportation from one state to another. I believe OP is asking about transferring one one state's medicaid program to another state's medicaid program so mother can be closer to family. Of course, OP may also need to be concerned with transportation once everything else is arranged.
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