Need to move Mom. Any advice?

Your mom is likely on Medicare and I'd imagine it's her Medicare supplemental policy (Medigap) that is the problem. We're in the open enrollment period right now - until Dec. 7 - so your brother should give you the information about the policy so that you can call insurance company and find out what you need to know. If this company doesn't cover her in your state, then you can change plans to one in your state.
Good luck,
Carol

This is an official Medicare link that gives you information about special enrollment periods when you move, etc. See if this answers any of your questions.

http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/special-circumstances/join-plan-special-circumstances.html

The medical coverage system in the States gives me a migraine just to think about - I don't envy you that one. Hope you get it sorted out smoothly.

I'm reassured now: if your mother's stayed with you for more than five months at a time, you clearly will be well prepared; that's all I was wondering. It's just there are so many people - not just on the forum, but all over - who start out with wonderful intentions and then find that they've got a complete nightmare on their hands. So I'm glad to know you're not one of them!

I'm sorry you've found a major change in your mother, though. Hope things will steady up once she's settled in with you. Best of luck x

It is kaiser and they have me worried about cost but kaiser is not in CT wish we could be a team but it will be all or nothing with them!

Is her living with you a change of her primary residence? If so, she can change her plan to one available in your area. However, if she is not competent, her POA or guardian will need to sign the application. If her primary residence is elsewhere, that makes things more limited. When you say you need to move her, what do you mean? To another state? to a nursing home? where do you need to move her to?

I am confused. If your mother is with you, then why did you say she is in another state? If your brother has, I am assuming power of attorney, then if he tells you it is okay to move her to your state, then do it. You need to find out what healthcare plan she is on currently, and since the open enrollment has passed (it is now Dec. 9), if she has Medicare those guidelines would prevail. I am still confused as to what you are really wanting, and I suggest you go to www.medicare.gov and check with your local area on aging. You do not list what medical conditions she has and again, I still don't know how to properly advise (not advice) you. Maybe if you could give more details, we could help.

You are all great, short story moms home is in another state she has come to visit in CT dementia is getting very bad I will not be allowing her to return! I need to give her better medical care here in CT but we are limited to ER and urgent care as kaiser in not in CT! Brother has told me make what ever changes I need to make and he will ok them. She will be living in my home.

OK, if she has moved her primary residence from one state to another, that creates a special enrollment period to change her Medicare supplement from where ever she has her Kaiser to one available in your state of CT. Does your brother have POA? If so, he will need to sign the application if she is not competent to sign it.

Sallie - there are still so many unanswered questions...

The "normal" open enrollment period has ended. But there are special circumstances, such as relocating into a different state, that allow special time periods. Only you know all the details, that's why I posted the link above for you. If you review that information, it may be able to direct you or help you understand more of what you need to find out.

It may be helpful to know the following:

Is your mom 65 or over (seems like she might be)?
Does she receive Social Security benefits?
Is she financially eligible for Medicaid (your state's Medicaid may pay her Medicare premium giving her a little over an extra hundred dollars per month).
OR ... you can sign her up with an HMO that you like which is available in your since it seems state, since it seems that Kaiser is closing up their facilities on the East Coast.

All of the machinations and documentation that is required to do what you need to do could benefit by your brothers assistance. I'm not trying to make trouble here, I just want to make sure you're thinking ahead. Why isn't he actively involved if he is the POA? Why is he standing back and "allowing" you to do all the dirty work, so to speak, yet giving his magnanimous approval? If you are moving her in with you, YOU should be the POA.

Just a caution, Sallie, if you have read much on this website about the caregiver NOT being the POA, it often doesn't work to have the non caregiver wielding power over the caregiver. I smell trouble ahead if you and your brother don't have a history of being in perfect alignment about your mom.

I also get the feeling you and your brother are not on the same page. Moving a dementia patient can make the symptoms worse and that's what happened, right? Get back to square one and send her home, admit that you bit off more than you can chew.