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Mom has been in a quad room ($275/day) since late 2014. She contracted Covid last year. Facility chose to move her to semi-private room ($290/day). Billing was correct and fully paid thru 31 July. The bill for Aug did not arrive until beginning of Sept. It was back- billed to July 1, 2021. Facility moved Mom because they "assumed" she may still be contagious. Assured me room charge would not increase and she would be moved back to quad room after testing negative. Bill received early September at a cost of $300/day back-billed to July 1? Mom has never been in a deluxe private room. Two months later facility is still insisting increased cost? What would you do?

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To begin with speak to person in charge of billing to show that July was paid for. I assume you have proof of payment. I think you should contact person up the totem pole from billing and ask about the increase. Ask the prices of all the room fees category. You need as much information as possible and without that it's hard to understand what your approach should be. What category of room is she now in meaning how many roommates? Facilities do have price increase but generally should inform residents and those who pay the fees.

I am sorry for this difficulty. My mother has been in 2 different facilities in 2 different states. The first was for profit,the second not for profit. We dealt with all sorts of price increases but at least each facility did make us aware ahead of time that there would be an increase. I think you need to speak to the person in an a position of authority regarding the billing issues. Your post makes me feel you don't presently have all the information you need to know.
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zmchipmunk21 Nov 2021
Thank you for your response! I do have all the documents. Mom's lawyer is engaged. I contacted the administrator 4 September but he had continued to ignore me....until late today. At which point he still claims Mom should be billed at the rate of semi-private which they put her into. I have been hesitant to 'push' for our elderly but feeling the need to now. So many are underserved with little representation.
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Did the facility contact you before they "assumed she may still be contagious" and therefore thought the best precaution was to move her? If you didn't get anything in writing confirming there'd be no price increase for a different room, then it's now a "he said/she said" situation. I would never trust their admin again...very sloppy and unprofessional and I'm so sorry this has turned into such a disappointing relationship.
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I’d suggest that you put in your letter the CDC 10 day criteria for quarantine (after exposure to a + Covid case). No need for quarantine after 10 days if negative test.

They should have a + test existing for whomever (staff, another resident) was Covid + and should have used the date the + result was done as day 1 for quarantine for possible exposures like your mom (and day 1 for isolation for the + case). Testing is free for those on Medicare although there can be an administrative fee. So no excuse not to be able to do. If all this occurred this past summer (2021), there were plenty of test kits for congregate facilities as they were a priority.
After Day 10, you are assumed ok & out of quarantine.

A good facility would have done a PCR test (2-3 day results) on everyone at the facility & a quick antigen as well to do an immediate determination of whose r sick and r at risk within 24 hrs of a +. Both take a few minutes to do; they r easily done w minimal skill. That’s how you segregate and reduce risk.
I’d ask the facility the specifics on the dates testing was done. It’s not a HIPPA violation, u r asking for test date(s) not individual results. Unless your mom was herself Covid +, after day 10 she was good on not having Covid. She could go back into general population which for her was her old quad room. If they chose to have her stay in a single or double room, that was their choice. Mom was Covid negative so no need to segregate. Yes definitely contest the bill. Imo this place is up charging whomever to make up for lost revenues due to Covid costs.

& I agree w Geaton 100% that this place is sloppy and unprofessional. Once things settle, I’d quietly be looking for another facility for her.
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zmchipmunk21 Nov 2021
Want to give an update. After a week of no response, the administrator of this facility finally emailed back at 10:30 PM on a friday night that he was 'unaware' of the situation and agreed to correct the billing (remains to be seen). This was only after alerting the ombudsman. Administrator wants to spin this issue that Mom was not content with the room she had been placed in. They've repeatedly placed a quadeapeligic lady in a room with Mom for the past several years, Mom makes sure her roommate gets the care needed when the caregivers ignore call buttons. Very sloppy admin staff but the actual care giving staff is acceptable but wont stand up for residents for fear they will lose their jobs. I've suggested to Mom moving to another facility but she believes she can be helpful in this facility. Sadly I'm stuck with her ability to answer 3 questions but not being fully capable of the common sense she once had. Keep fighting for change!
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I agree with Igloo here. Its their choice to quarantine. Not Moms fault she contracted COVID. Does Medicaid pay more when someone needs to be quarantined? I doubt it. So why should a private pay individual.
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zmchipmunk21 Nov 2021
Thanks! That was my concern also. Administrator claims ignorance as to the issue even after getting ombudsman involved. Spinning this as a situation that Mom wasn't happy in her present room (where she could not access a sink to wash her hands, brush her teeth). Sloppy admin staff, care staff is acceptable and according to Mom in tears with the situation.
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