Do you have to pay Medicaid back for assisted living if you move to another facility?

My mom went into an AL as "pending medicaid" in IL. They said once she sold her house, she would have to private pay until she ran out of money, then reapply for Medicaid. We moved her in March 2016, house sold in Aug. 2016. I believe we should now by paying private pay, however, the statement does not reflect that. We are very unhappy with the AL she is at, and want to move her. We have qualified for VA assistance, and can move her back to IA. Since we should have been private pay the last 6 weeks, and will continue to be private pay until she runs out of money (if we should stay there) will we have to pay the state back for the first six months she was there? I know we have to pay the next 30 days as we had to give 30 days notice, but if we have to go back and private pay since last March, we would not have the money to move her to a better assisted living facility where she will receive better care. Thanks for your help!