My dad died in the NH as well. My brother, who was not POA, receives a bill every month (for over a year now) from the NH. My dad was on Medicaid and neither my brother nor myself were financially responsible for my dad's stay in the NH. My brother gives the bill to his 5-year-old to color on.
Unless you signed something stating that you were financially responsible for your brother the NH is just trying to get some $$ out of you. Don't pay it and don't worry about it.
Were you POA? Is that how they got your address? I would send it back to them, with a letter that says you were not responsible for your brothers expenses. They are just trying to get someone to pay.
Why did Medicaid become uninvolved? Assuming he was still covered by Medicare when he died, the bill should be sent to Medicare.
And Carol and Pilot are right - unless you agreed to be responsible for his costs, in writing, to the best of my knowledge you're not.
Document your calls, e-mails, letters to the nursing home just in case you need to take this farther than simply clearing up the issue.
Sometimes it's just a simple mistake; I've seen more and more of those from physicians' offices because bills weren't properly coded or sent to the appropriate party.
E.g., when my father was in rehab for hip fractures, I took him to his orthopaedic doctor for removal of the sutures/staples. X-rays were taken at that time and the charge was billed to Medicare.
Twice I had to become involved when Medicare refused to pay and the ortho's office sent the bill to my father.
I learned that because my father was residing at the rehab facility, even temporarily, the ortho physician needed to bill the rehab facility, which then billed Medicare.
You shouldn't be responsible for this bill unless you signed papers saying that you were. If he has no assets, I don't know why he went off of Medicaid, but unless you said you'd pay the bill (in writing) I don't think they can do anything to push you farther. If they do, go to ltcombudsman.org and type in the Zip Code of the home. Then find the contact under that Zip code who can help you with this.
Good luck. Please let us know how you're doing. Carol
I wouldn't think that you would be responsible, unless you signed something that stated that you would be. They are grasping at straws. Maybe you should contact an elder care lawyer just to be sure.
Unless you signed something stating that you were financially responsible for your brother the NH is just trying to get some $$ out of you. Don't pay it and don't worry about it.
And Carol and Pilot are right - unless you agreed to be responsible for his costs, in writing, to the best of my knowledge you're not.
Document your calls, e-mails, letters to the nursing home just in case you need to take this farther than simply clearing up the issue.
Sometimes it's just a simple mistake; I've seen more and more of those from physicians' offices because bills weren't properly coded or sent to the appropriate party.
E.g., when my father was in rehab for hip fractures, I took him to his orthopaedic doctor for removal of the sutures/staples. X-rays were taken at that time and the charge was billed to Medicare.
Twice I had to become involved when Medicare refused to pay and the ortho's office sent the bill to my father.
I learned that because my father was residing at the rehab facility, even temporarily, the ortho physician needed to bill the rehab facility, which then billed Medicare.
Convoluted? You bet!
Good luck. Please let us know how you're doing.
Carol
Maybe you should contact an elder care lawyer just to be sure.