Medicaid is tax payer money provided to assist with the care of citizens who have very little money. It is a social safety net funded by the public. The person receiving care contributes what they have/can and the rest of us pick up the remainder of the cost. The cost of care for a skilled nursing home is much more than a typical Social Security check and Medicaid covers the rest. A small amount per month is for "personal care" costs/items, about $105 in my state. This can be used for hair cuts, disposable underwear, treats, clothing, etc.
Also try to find out if mom's state does an annual Medicaid renewal with a required questionnaire filled out by the DPOA and if so how much documentation will be required. I was totally unaware of this and had placed all mom's paperwork into storage. The renewal required the most current "awards letters" (the notice from SS and most retirements that state what the monthly income will be for the incoming year) along with the last 4 months of her bank statements. AND items that were submitted in the initial application (funeral policy, life insurance face page, etc.). If your mom still has her home, also the tax assessor bill (this to see what value is for any future estate recovery and if ownership has changed). After that first year renewal snafu I just kept a binder going to put documentation in as received.
YES, please read the admittance agreement. All her money goes to pay for her care. There will be a "share of cost" amount on the contract. Also be careful to keep her assets below $2K or Medicaid will cease.
I was told that the reimbursement was from a part of MEDICARE since she was recently approved by MEDICAID. She is in a long term care facility and owns no assets. Some of this reimbursement is needed for some of personal expenses for her but I was told by the long term care facility that it had to be turned over to them. I think in SC that we only are allowed $30, which is not enough for clothes, personal articles, etc.
I was totally unaware of this and had placed all mom's paperwork into storage. The renewal required the most current "awards letters" (the notice from SS and most retirements that state what the monthly income will be for the incoming year) along with the last 4 months of her bank statements. AND items that were submitted in the initial application (funeral policy, life insurance face page, etc.). If your mom still has her home, also the tax assessor bill (this to see what value is for any future estate recovery and if ownership has changed). After that first year renewal snafu I just kept a binder going to put documentation in as received.