Applying for Medicaid after Move to Nursing Home

[nananorma]

Snuff,
The man who called me from the VA said for me to await instructions about where and how much to send.  He had talked to the staff at the nursing home to get charges, etc. from them before he called me.  As Fiduciary, I moved the money into a separate account to await instructions and notified Medicaid that this monthly amount would be decreased to $90/month.  I feel sure that Medicaid "Government" (right hand) and VA "Government" (left hand) interact - right???  Hopefully, if need be, I can explain to either or both my actions.  We are still awaiting Medicaid approval - takes a while (90 days is what the nursing home told me).  They are keeping her "pending approval", and say they will be paid retroactively to her admission date.

[nananorma]

Just an update - received a phone call yesterday from the State of Texas Medicaid Office with a question about the A&A Pension.  She wanted to clarify that Mom was indeed losing the $1056 and will be receiving $90/month for A&A.  She just requested a copy of the letter from VA showing the decrease.  I will send it as soon as I receive it, but it will not hold up the Medicaid approval process.  She said the $90 will be counted toward her income, but she can keep it for personal use and it will not be payable to the nursing home.  So, she'll keep $60 from Social Security and $90 from A&A and have a disposable income monthly of $150.  Now to figure out what to do with that to keep her checking account below $2000, per Medicaid requirements.

[KarenO]

Sounds like things are coming together!  Just some suggestions on the $150 disposable income you will have each month - clothes, socks, toiletries, snacks, hair cut, etc. 

[nananorma]

Yes, KarenO, I'm thinking beauty shop every week for her - she deserves some pampering and they have a beauty shop on site. Maybe even a manicure every once in a while!!

[nananorma]

Finally, today see that my Mother's award has been reduced to $90 - still waiting to get official word on how much and where to return her full awards from the past four months since she moved into the nursing home.  I got a VA letter several weeks ago stating the reduction, about the same time that I heard she was approved for Medicaid effective 1/1/11.  Will be glad to get this settled and behind us!

[vetadmin]

Glad that it is all working out for you.