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My 91 year old hubby is in the nursing home on Medicaid. I am not on Medicaid at all, yet they refuse to allow me to keep enough money to pay either my insurance deductible or the medical bills after both Medicare and private insurance have finished. Every time I present Medicaid office with medical bills I am told "Sorry but we do not allow for medical bills after insurance". HOW can they stop you from paying what is legally yours to pay? Now I am being sued for over $112,000 in medical bills and driven nuts with collection calls at all hours of the day and night. Why can't I pay my bills????

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Your husband's medical bills should all be paid by Medicare or Medicaid. However, your own medical bills must be paid by you out of your own income or assets. You are allowed to keep 100% of your own income, and if your income is below the federal minimum of $1,966, you can petition the state to obtain a portion of your husband's income. Indeed, if you have greater need than even this, you can petition the state to receive ALL of his income, up to a maximum necessary to bring your combined total to $2,981.
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I think you need a consult eith an elder care attorney.
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It may be time for you to be on Medicaid as well. Call them.
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Not eligible. I just want to be able to pay my bills. I have NEVER been late paying a bill and this has upset me to the point that I am not sleeping at all and now have been put on two blood pressure medications to try and control my pressure. My hair is falling out by the handfuls and I have sores breaking out all over my skin. Doctor says it is from stress over the bills. I have always been the one calling the doctors to remind them that they had not sent me a bill and asking what I owed so I could pay it off before they billed me. I absolutely cannot stand owing anyone. Being sued because of this has really created a huge amount of stress. I just don't understand how they can say that I am not allowed to pay something that I am obligated to pay. Now my doctor says they will not treat me any longer until I am paid in full on the bills.
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Tharen - are you getting either CSRA = Community Spouse Resource Allowance or MMNA = Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance? This would come from hubby's monthly income $ that instead of being paid to the NH as part of his required co-pay or his "SOC" (share of cost in Medicaid-speak) is instead diverted to you to enable you to live in the community.
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Tharen, I was just reading the Medicaid.gov website. You ARE allowed to keep back monies to pay for medical expenses, at least according to what I read. Have you talked to your lawyer about this again? Merry Christmas!
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I'm having a problem following your question "why can't I pay my medical bills". Is it that you don't have the money to pay the medical bills or are you saying they are refusing your payment? It sounds like you are also having problems understanding what your attorney has said to you. Perhaps you need someone that can help you to better understand what's going on.
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You need to consult an accountant who understands healthcare law. Make certain that you enquire with a CPA who specializes in these issues.
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{Q}HOW can they stop you from paying what is legally yours to pay?{EQ}
They are saying THEY, Medicaid, won't pay the bills.

The bills must be paid by You personally from your own funds.

consult with an elder care attorney about your personal liabilities.
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It makes a difference if these are your medical bills or your husband's. His should be completely covered by medicaid. If these are your bills, can you apply for an increase in your community spouse allowance? Can you get someone to advocate on your behalf? Call your local area agency on aging?
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