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I need to know exactly everything I need to get my mom on Medicaid

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Linda, scroll down to the bottom of the page to the blue section. Click on MEDICARE and you will see articles on "Medicare & Medicaid". Lot of good information.
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First gather up 5 years of financial records. That's the hardest part.
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Linda, when I applied for Medicaid on behalf of my dad I went to the Medicaid office and was assigned a caseworker. This was a while ago so I'm trying to remember what I took with me but I know I took my dad's tax returns and his military paperwork. I might have taken his annuity information but I can't recall.

The caseworker gave me several items that I had to turn over. Again, my memory, but it wasn't overwhelming. I was able to fax the required forms to the caseworker and then I just sat back and waiting.

I knew the process was long but I kept in contact with the caseworker regarding the status of my dad's application. My dad was already in a nursing home by this point and I had to give the NH proof that my dad was going through the Medicaid process.

My dad died waiting to be approved. In fact, he was approved after he died. A lot of good it did us then.

I read stories about how difficult it is to get approved and that there's a 5-year look back period (which I was aware of at the time and was very nervous about) but that wasn't my experience. Yes, it was somewhat a hassle but I didn't have to go looking for buried treasure in the form of long forgotten information and years and years worth of records.

This was just my experience.
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Please, please Also realize that in order for them to be elgible for NH Medicaid, they have to be "at need" BOTH financially and medically.

The emphasis is overwhelmingly on finances as unearthing 5 years of a parents financial life is a big project. BUT they also have to be able to clearly show to be "at need" for a NH which means needing skilled nursing services. She will need to have MD orders for skilled care needed and have documentation in her health history as to need. The majority of NH admits is the scenario that they fall and go into a hospital and then have a post hospitalization discharge for rehab at a NH; and then they do not "progress" in rehab and then go from rehab admit to a NH resident. They have the fat medical chart that shows need so totally clear admission on being medically "at need".

If your mom is still living at home, or at your home or IL or even a AL, she may not yet have the health history to show she is at need. I would suggest you speak with her MD asap as to her status. She may not qualify to be at need medically!

My experiences regarding finances was like Eyerishlass, it was more a matter of clearing a couple of tabletops and organizing stuff by year and long visits to Fed Ex / Kinkos to copy stuff. For banking, if they didn't keep old months statements, you as DPOA can see a bank officer and put in a request for 5 years. There can be a research fee but it's all done!

One thing I wasn't expecting was the 5 year look back on accounts letter needed from mom's bank. This was for TX Medicaid and required an on bank letterhead statement with bank officer signature as to the disposition of any & all account closed 5 years prior. So like CD #12345 closed on XYZ for $ 5,001.00 transferred to checking account # 6789 on XYZ for $ 5,001.00. Pretty straightforward and showed all $ moved to checking account. I'm sure that if any had been cashed out, I would have faced a transfer inquiry from caseworker.

If your parent still has their home & a car, think carefully if it makes sense for her to continue to own them. Yes they can be exempt assets but mom will have zero - none - nada of $ to ever pay on them anymore so family will need to front all costs and may or may not be able to deal successfully with any claim or lien due to estate recovery aspect of Medicaid (MERP).
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Also the NH provided a list of documents required for my mom to be admitted as "Medicaid Pending". The NH then reviewed these to determine IF they would take her as a pending resident. WHen you tour NH, ask clearly if & how they handle "pending" and for a list of documents they want to see. The NH took what I brought, looked over and then filled out the Medicaid application with me; did an admissions contract and I paid the share of cost balance due for the rest of that month that month. The SOC is based on your mom's "awards letters" - those are the statements mailed out Nov & Dec from SS and any retirements that show to the penny what mom will be paid as "income" each month. That is what the NH expects to be paid less their personal needs allowance. Awards letters mucho importante! All done a couple of days before mom actually moved in.

BTW if your mom's awards letters show a somewhat higher income, the NH may be giddy with excitement. My mom got $ 1900 a mo and though they are not to do income preference under Medicaid rules, I could tell my mom's admission was viewed positively due to her somewhat high income for a 90+ yr old.

Never ever sign your signature. All must be "Jane Smith Jones as DPOA for Mary Smith" and get a copy of every page of contract and all NH rules. They don't get the check till you get your copies. Comprede? Good luck!
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