Medicare payments to the supervising doctor at the Skilled Nursing. Any advice?

I think she meant that just using straight original Medicare instead of a Medicare Advantage program may cost more money in the long run. I suggest you talk to Medicare and have them go over the differences between straight Medicare and the other types of programs. Also talk to the reps for the Medicare Advantage companies in your state. Open Season will be here before you know it and you/he may decide to switch back or to another company. The deal on original Medicare with the providers is that that the total they accept for Medicare reimbursement is capped (as opposed to what amount they might accept from a private pay patient or another insurer) by Medicare. But Medicare pays the 80% of that amount and the patient the 20%. Get your hands on the 2014 Medicare Booklet and read through it. That should answer most of the questions. If money is a problem you might want to switch back to an Advantage type plan as it should cover more.

You are thinking of Medicaid. Medicare has about 80% coverage unless you get a Medicare Supplement policy.

I would talk to the social worker at the NH to find out if the in-facility doctor accepts Medicare as payment in full. I would also assume that the doctor is not billing YOU, s/he's billing your father. You are not responsible for bills for your father's care unless you have volunteered to do so.

Re the billing...I think of me and my dad as interchangeable (is THAT a caregiver issue?) The bill is HIS and im paying it...

Question: I don't remember him ever being billed when he had the medicare Advantage plan (that I let expire and now am happy I did because the choices we so limited..) Linda

Linda, pay his bills from his funds. Do not combine funds, keep separate bank accounts. When you gave up Medicare Advantage, you may have more choices, but you have less coverage. Are you sure this is what you want?

Nope, no combining done. I have been paying his bills for years now and have never combined. except often I buy things for him (clothes, food, furniture). maybe I shouldn't do that but I just cant stand his balance to go too low. am going to sell his car and put funds in his account next.

Pam, what did you mean, am I sure this is what I want?