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Odd question and I'm glad I found this forum. I've been paying for my dad's memory care with a credit card and then reimbursing myself. I've kept good records and can match all the payments and bills. So, I'm not worried about that.


What I am worried about is that my credit cards have points and I've been earning them for the bills I pay for my dad.


Does anyone have an experience with this when it comes to the look-back period?

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One thing I ran into with using credit cards to pay for care was that the facility charged a fee to do so. For example, if I charged $2000 worth of care, they would put through say $2035 on the credit card and the $35 was their fee - paying cash/check would have avoided that fee. Since I was paying elder's care with elder's credit card, it was par for the course for choosing that payment method. Since you're using your own credit card, I'd be more worried about credit card processing fees (if any) because if you're reimbursing yourself that amount just for the convenience of earning points on your personal credit card, I would think there could be a problem there because elder's money is covering a fee just so that you can earn points. If there are no fees and everything literally matches up to the *penny*, I can't imagine how anyone would even know you were earning points on the credit card? I have one credit card with no rebate/points features at all and I have another card that does have rebate features. I don't know that anyone handling the card or making a transaction would be able to tell the difference.
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mplscraig Jan 2021
Thanks for the reply. I lucked out in that there is no fee. I suspect the place my dad is at has pretty nice margins and don’t need to charge it. I would imagine other places might need to.
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I am assuming this is your credit card. If your reimbursing yourself, why don't you just pay Dads bill directly out of his banking account?
Are you doing it the way you are because you get points? If so IMO, this is a little like fraud. If you were paying for his care would be one thing but you are turning around and reimbursing yourself.

Saying that, if this is your card it has nothing to do with the Medicaid look back period. Your finances don't come into the picture. All they will see, IMO, is u using a CC for convenience and reimbursing yourself. Just make sure you have all receipts to prove what you are reimbursing yourself for is for Dad.

I think Grandma meant Medicaid not Medicare.
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mplscraig Jan 2021
Thanks, JoAnn. Part of the reason I pay with the card is for the points. I’ve had a rough go of it with parents and this seems like a way to treat myself a bit (although there are expenses I‘ve never reimbursed myself for, so it’s basically even money at this point).

The other reason is security. I want as little as my dad’s financial info out in the world.

I’m curious about your fraud comment. I don’t see it that way, but I’m curious why it looks that way to you.
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i am sure the “points” are not considered as “income”. If they were taxes would have to be paid.
If you have a lawyer/elder care attorney if you are concerned it might be worth a call. A CPA might even have the answer. Or a call to Medicare
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