Hello AC, my mum had a fall in November and did the hospital->SNF thing already. Her medical bills for the institution and insurance balances are starting to roll in. I already have been working to get her approved long term for Medicaid for the past month and a half or so (she has waaaay too many balance issues to live at home.)
The SNF says they're going to backtrack her approval for Medicaid to November.
Do I pay the insurance balance stuff now as it comes in or should I wait for the Medcaid approval?? With being approved for Medicaid reduce these expenses??
Thanks for any knowledge/advice.
If Medicaid retros the service date, you can ask the providers if they can resubmit to Medicaid. If not, you can. I was able to submit bills for my nephew and Medicaid paid. Be aware, if the providers do not except Medicaid, Medicaid will not pay. Medicaid also does not send out statements so you will need to contact providers to see if balance is paid.
So, yes, wait till you know if Mom gets Medicaid or not.
Thank you so much for your response (so sorry this is late) and this is exactly what I needed to know. I'll keep all the bills that are rolling in (pretty much just the balance Medicare + supplements won't pay) and see if they cen be submitted to Medicaid and I'll do it if they don't.
She's definitely in a place where she can get on Medicaid and I purposely placed her in a nearby SHF knowing her really wonky condition probably would bring us to this, and also that I couldn't transport her around myself anymore.
NEVER pay a bill YOURSELF with your funds as this is called "assuming the debt" and can make it yours.
You need to see an elder law attorney with your questions now.
This is something she CAN pay for if you are her POA.
I'm aware that I should keep her bills and mine separate! Definitely only going to use her $ for stuff with her name on it. I'm trying to be very careful with this!
My question had more to deal with drawing money from her account while waiting for Medicaid approval. I'm sure she wouldn't be accepted without appealing (some of the paperwork just didn't get there in time) and I need to get a hold of her house bills with what she has left. I did consult a lawyer about the house bills and that will not mess up her application.
Thank you so much.