Who is eligibile for VA contracted nursing homes?

Karsten, would this be an alternative to the memory care facility your father is in now?

If you're serious about a VA facility, try to find a local VA office through your county, and ask them. They're qualified to answer questions on VA benefits.

"But the SW at the hospital said any WWII era vet gets free SNF at VA contracted homes, but the SNF said she doesn't think that's not true."


The SNF is correct. Benefits are based on Priority Groups. You Dad is assigned to a priority group depending on a lot of things, including his financial situation. Start by finding out what is his current prior group assignment. The VA's website has lots of good info.

I got to the bottom of this today. It turns out my dad DOES qualify for a full ride at a VA contracted nursing home. In the past, the VA people said he did not as he was not 70% service related disabled. So we did not pursue that anymore and have been paying for his care at first an SNF and now a MC. Some here know we have had some issues with the MC for which we had a care conference today.

BUT, he the VA today said he DOES qualify for free at an SNF, not because he has service related disability, but because he is now on hospice. NO VA person told us that before, otherwise he could have had free care for the last six weeks. Even now, still sketchy about moving him once again, but if it means a savings of 6-10 thousand a month, I don't know how we cant.

So with this VA stuff you really have to dig around to many VA people. In retrospect, it would have been better to simply go to a VA contracted SNF and have them investigate whether he qualifies. That's what eventually happened here. Perhaps some insights for others.

Karsten, I think you should just call up that VA nursing home and tell them that you'd like to move Dad there. Assume that if he's a WW no get, he qualifies. Just start the process and assume theres no issue.

Tell me what the worse is that could happen? They charge him private rates ? ( you apply for Medicaid).

my dad doesn't qualify for Medicaid. I guess we might go to this particular one if it were free or highly subsidized, but woudlont be our first pick if we paid private pay.

But the SW at the hospital said any WWII era vet gets free SNF at VA contracted homes, but the SNF said she doesn't think that's not true.

www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/veterans-eligibility-va-nursing-home-care.html

Found this on the Nolo website.

Call the contracted VA home admissions department.

OK, update. I went over to the SNF the hospice SW had recommended as she knew of the issues we were having with the current memory care. She said this place has contracts with the VA. I called all the different VA offices and the word is he had to be assigned at least a 70% service related disability, and lucky for him, he never had any service related disability. But others said that is a standard line. I visited this place today which is not as nice environmentally as his current memory care where he has his own suite, but the admission lady checked with her VA contact and left a message tonight saying he would qualify. What I don't know is what she meant by qualifying. Qualifying to get in ? Well anyone can do that. Qualified for a reduced rate, and if so how much? Or qualify for a totally free stay. If that was the case it would be hard to not move there. But I am tired of having to move my dad around all the time . This place would be much closer to my brother and me, but much further for my mom. Of course if it was free, she could justify a lot of taxi rides. Anyway, I guess if we felt the care at his current MC will not improve it would be a no brainer. If it does improve, I would prefer he be in a nice environment close to my mom - but if its the difference between paying six grand a month and zero a month that means something too. Also if I thought my dad had very little time, I would keep him where hes at or even move him to my moms house. But if it was a lot of time, a free stay for a year would mean a lot. I don't really get it thought. In the past I was told my dads disability level was too low, as in none, and their assets were too high to qualify for any VA help.















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Thanks jjariz. I have tried understanding this VA stuff and find it impossible. My dad is not disable from his service time, and while not rich his assets are greater than what I understand the threshold is. But I did not know about that priority group assignment is. The County Veteran Service Officer and the SW at the VA told me he flat out does not qualify. But the admissions person at the SNF has a mole at the VA who told her he does qualify.

Thanks for the follow up, Karsten.

Have you been dealing, all along, with a NAELA or CELA certified eldercare attorney?

No, we have not. Probably big mistake.