What do we do if Medicaid won't pay for my mom in a nursing home and none of us can afford it?

some people envision a NH as a utopia of safety, good care and fun activities. i didnt see that in the rather upscale AL that my mother spent a couple of months in. it was more like old people sitting in their rooms surrounded by a pack of money and drug thieves waiting to go eat another horrid meal. after a few weeks the families stopped visiting altogether. im not trying to influence anyones decision but my mom isnt going back into one if we have to live in a van down by the river.

It sounds like she is already in the nursing home. So do an internet google search for the words "medicaid pending while in nursing home" and you will find some helpful info. Hopefully you did not sign that you will guarantee payment. If she has no money then wouldn't the only issue be she doesn't meet nursing home starndard of care but it seems like she does from your description. If denied, then look into appealilng it but it would be the nursing home's responsiblity to find an appropriate placement for her since they already admitted her. Contact your state ombudsman if there is one to find out what you can do in the event nursing home medicaid is denied. If the state claims she only needs assisted living, then ask them if they are going to find her a place and fund it under the medicaid program for community care. You can also try to contact an attorney at legal services for free help if she has no money.

Thank you. Yes, the nursing home does take Medicaid.

Your mother's situation is what Medicaid is meant for. She has no assets and she needs skilled nursing home care. I assume that the NH she is at accepts Medicaid? Mom is probably in the status now of Medicaid Pending, right?

If it happens that this NH does Not accept Medicaid, start looking for one that does immediately!

Thank you. No, she has no home and we have already spent all she had for the nursing home.

Generally, the money to pay for her care while she awaits Medicaid assistance would come from any assets that she has. Is she living in a home she owns? That could be considered an asset.
If she has no money at all other than Social Security, the chances of her getting Medicaid help are good, but the waiting period is challenging. Each state is different, so you need to ask your contact at the Medicaid office where the application is being processed what you are to do in the meantime. It's likely that her home could be used as collateral. You may want to talk with an elder law attorney who knows your state Medicaid rules well.
Good luck,
Carol