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Am going to call billing on Monday, but wondered if this is common, or just a huge error. My Mom went to a NH/Rehab Center for rehab for her legs. She was there 21 days. Her Medicare Advantage Plan covered 20 days. She owes a co-pay for $167, which she will gladly pay.
However, the NH put her account in my name and billed ME instead of her. This is very concerning to me, because more bills may appear as she hasn't been home long. I have POA in case she is incapacitated or unconscious, but that wasn't an issue in this case.
We are not disputing the bill - but, I am going to dispute the fact they sent it to me in my name. We live in the same house. I never even set foot in the hospital due to covid restrictions and have no idea why they put my name in the computer. I am very concerned about this because my credit should not be tied/affixed to hers.
Is this a common billing issue? I'll be calling them on Monday, but am trying to figure out how to explain it to them over the phone - as this Rehab Center exists with a sea of unanswered voice mails.

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They sent the bill in your name because you have her POA. They're still sending bills for my parent that I had POA for and they've been gone two years now. When you write a check for the co-pay make sure you put 'POA' after your signature. Then write on the check memo what it's for. It will not affect your credit.
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This happened to me. Mom stayed an extra few days in rehab. Medicare will only pay for a certain time frame.

I called and explained that I was not responsible for paying and to please send bills to be paid directly to my mother.

I wanted my name removed and the nursing home honored my request.
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Glad you called and clarified. It is clear now they mean this bill to be Mom's. Many POA as I did, pay the bills for their elders and receive all billing. They didn't know this and will now send the bill to your Mom I am sure. At least this is one worry off your back, and as you never signed you were never responsible for her bill.
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Josephina;

Followup your phone conversation with a letter, sent return receipt requested to the business office of the nursing home.

State that you are POA but NOT the responsible party with regards to mom's bills. Make this as clear as you can and ask for all of your mother's bills to be resent in HER name only.

It may be that mother said "send bills to my daughter" or somesuch, but make sure that the confusion is ended by putting your refusal to be the "responsible party" in writing and that they acknowlege the receipt of the information.
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Josephina avatar
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Josephina Oct 2020
Thank you, will do so.
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Update: I called Billing today, and had a confusing conversation. They purposely sent me the bill because I'm POA. I explained to them that nobody sends my Mom's bills to me, they send them to her. The POA is for emergency decisions only.
Not sure if I got through to them, but have asked for the bill to be resent in her name & to have my name removed as a responsible party. Will update again if this hasn't been completely solved in the next week or so.
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JoAnn29 avatar
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JoAnn29 Oct 2020
Always sign with POA after your name when dealing with Moms stuff. Read everything carefully. She is always responsible for her own bills even if she has Dementia.
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When you contact them tell them that they incorrectly billed you and your mom is the actual patient, DO NOT PAY ANYTHING UNTIL THEY CORRECT THE BILL TO SHOW YOUR MOM'S NAME, tell them that you will happily send a payment when they correct the billing name.

This could very well be a scam to make you responsible and if you pay once with it incorrect then you will play the devil in the future.

Some of these places have zero scruples and will go to low lengths to make family financially responsible.

Be sure and clarify that you are the emergency contact and POA.
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Josephina avatar
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Josephina Oct 2020
Thank you. Yes, I agree. Once I'm in that computer as the responsible party, who knows what could happen re: future bills, or if she is ever readmitted in the future.
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If you didn't sign it isn't yours; it is clearly HER bill and a mistake was made. Call them Monday and let us know how it goes. Pay any small bills for her signed as POA.
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Josephina avatar
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Josephina Oct 2020
Thank you. I'll call them first thing Monday and see what they have to say. Am glad to know my instinct that this is wrong/incorrect has been verified.
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You say it was sent to you. But is the actual BILL in her name or in yours. Has her insurance paid this bill?
When your Mother entered the rehab did you sign anything with your own name?
If you have not signed anything other than Momsign by Josphina under POA, then there should not be a problem. I hope you will update us after you call billing on Monday. I was POA and Trustee of Trust for my bro. I know how confusing this can be. At one point I got a bill in HIS name for 12,000 and turned out that they didn't have his supplemental insurance even listed though it was given to them on admission and they took it to make a copy. They can drive you just nuts.
Good luck. Let us know.
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Josephina avatar
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Josephina Oct 2020
Thank you for your comment. Yes the actual bill is to me. That's the issue. I'm responsible for payment or else it would go to collections in my name. It should be in her name. My concern is what else will be coming from them in my name?

Yes, it went through her insurance, they've already paid their part. She just has a small co-pay of a few hundred dollars. (There may be further bills, we're not sure yet - as it takes awhile to get them.)

I have not signed anything there, nor even went inside the building due to Covid restrictions. The Case Manager went to her room when they needed things signed, & she signed them.)

They have a copy of my POA that was handed to a Case Manager at the front door (in case something happened to her while she was there) along with her extra clothing, but I never signed anything or authorized my name on her account.
(Incidentally, she also has POA over me in case I'm ever in a similar situation.)
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