My psychiatrist most certainly accepts Medicare. My brother's psychiatrist accepts Medicaid. My husband's psychiatrist accepted Medicare and then Medicaid. These doctors all work in large clinics that choose to accept these programs. I attempted to find a private-practice geriatric psychiatrist who accepted Medicare but could not. A one-person office has a lot harder time justifying the overhead of processing these payments.
To over-generalize that psychiatrists don't accept Medicare is just plain wrong. Some do; some don't, just as with any medical specialty.
I don't understand "the whole household is on Medicaid" -- certainly wasn't true in our case; my husband was on Medicaid, and I had my own insurance. My mother lives with my sister. Mom is on Medicaid; the rest of the household is not.
My cousin's husband was paid to be his wife's caregiver after she was disabled in a car accident many years ago. He continued to work for a while, but he made less money than the county was paying for the caregiver, and it just made sense for him to quite work and take some caregiver training instead. So I know that in some cases spouses can be paid by some programs. It is very worth it to ask his case worker.
Let me restate my statement on psychiatrists accepting Medicare. There are few in and around the Phoenix, AZ area who will take Medicare, but I am lucky to have found a practice in Glendale, AZ. Yes, not all states are the same, so check with your medical society which doctors accept what insurance or start calling or by the internet. It is such an issue now with the new rules, and one has to keep current. Also, I did not mean to imply you did anything "wrong" about your husband's illness. My husband's ex-spouse developed schizophrenia shortly after the birth of their second child, but fortunately he was in the Air Force at the time and they hospitalized her. This illness had a devastating effect on their children, and it needs constant monitoring but the use of medications can allow the patient to live outside a hospital. My best to you and your husband.
I know in my state a person cannot be paid by medicaid to care for their spouse. There is legistration pending to change that rule, but for now it is not possible. So i guess it depends what state you live in.
Also, anyone who has not had previous experience with mental illness would have absolutely no idea that it can be a lifetime struggle. Don't pay any attention to anyone who tells you you should have known better. That's not a helpful or supportive answer.
My son is unemployed but he is my caregiver, he does the laundry, most of the cooking and grocery shopping. I have fallen a few times and he has helped me get backup! Is there anyway he can be compensated for doing this?
Since schizophrenia is a mental illness that has lifelong symptoms, how did you not know he would need a lot of care? You do not say how long you two have been married, but any agency researching your situation is going to ask you the same question. Be prepared for the answer. A mental illness is no different than a medical illness, but is viewed differently. Psychiatrists these days are not accepting patients on Medicare and want up-front money. Since medications can control symptoms of schizophrenia, these medications need to be taken a lifetime. Perhaps you can find a psychiatrist who will accept funds on a sliding scale. My very best to you and your husband.
Actually, Medicaid has introdouced something called Cash and Counseling in some states. This program allows recipients to pay friends and family members as caregivers. I don't think it is available in all states yet, but if you google Cash and Counseling, you will find lots of info.
Call his caseworker and see what benefits you are entitled to. Generally the whole household is on Medicaid, not just one person. You can't get a paycheck and get Medicaid too. One or the other.
To over-generalize that psychiatrists don't accept Medicare is just plain wrong. Some do; some don't, just as with any medical specialty.
I don't understand "the whole household is on Medicaid" -- certainly wasn't true in our case; my husband was on Medicaid, and I had my own insurance. My mother lives with my sister. Mom is on Medicaid; the rest of the household is not.
My cousin's husband was paid to be his wife's caregiver after she was disabled in a car accident many years ago. He continued to work for a while, but he made less money than the county was paying for the caregiver, and it just made sense for him to quite work and take some caregiver training instead. So I know that in some cases spouses can be paid by some programs. It is very worth it to ask his case worker.
Also, anyone who has not had previous experience with mental illness would have absolutely no idea that it can be a lifetime struggle. Don't pay any attention to anyone who tells you you should have known better. That's not a helpful or supportive answer.