Decent Medicaid-bed nursing homes in Houston? (Center, Columbus: living, professionals, health)

[EM1956]

First off, I was not scolding or spanking her.
And while she followed the advice given to her for her situation, she also advocated that advice for someone else with a different situation.

And I apologized for coming off heavy handed--- but I encounter fraud on an almost weekly basis!

And I'm quite sure Shelbygirl can speak for herself.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Again...I only passed on the info that was provided to me by my MIL lawyers. No fraud, no breaking the law...this is a 95 yr old woman with less than $1000 to her name! And who needs TOTAL Nursing Home Care. It is my husband and I that paid the Nursing Home outrageous bills of over $7000 a month, for a mediocre, at best, facility.
Have no idea what CF's Mom was collecting, I only know that we discussed the app. to Medicaid. Since then, her app. was accepted and passed and her Mom is doing well (last I heard, anyways?) in a facility.

[chris_ut]

You make it sound like the nursing home is a villain. Did you shop around to multiple homes for the best price? What is a fair price to you for room and board in a dedicated facility along with 24/7 access to caregivers and nurses? I know it is a terrible situation to have a loved one that is no longer able to take care of themselves but you can't expect other people to do this very demanding work for you for nothing.

[catfancier]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

I only know that we discussed the app. to Medicaid. Since then, her app. was accepted and passed and her Mom is doing well (last I heard, anyways?) in a facility.

I didn't realize this 7-month-old thread had been revived, so I'll provide a quick update.

In late January my mother went directly from a hospital to a nursing home, and after she was there 30 days I delivered the Medicaid application to the designated representative. I had spoken with a lawyer's office about having them do the app but even they said, because of my mom's very simple financial situation, that I really was capable of doing it myself. It is somewhat time-consuming but ultimately straightforward. (ShelbyGirl's MIL's situation was far more complex and in another state.) I guess I did a good job; the Medicaid rep never called with questions, and the approval came within a month. My mom's Medicaid status was retroactive to the day she entered the NH, which is normal.

There is a difference between "community Medicaid" and "nursing-home Medicaid". While she was still living in her own place (HUD-supported independent senior apartments, not assisted living) she did receive the provider services through a social worker from DADS (state Dept. of Aging and Disability Services). I was told it was a Medicaid _program from combined sources that paid for the provider. I don't pretend to understand how all of that worked behind the scenes. If EM1956 says that means she was _on Medicaid, then maybe it's a fine-print kind of thing? She did not have a Medicaid card, was not on Star Plus or any other such low-income program. She had slightly too much SS to be "on Medicaid." She's very elderly and has disabilities, though, so maybe those were factors in this provider program. I truly don't know. But that's all moot now, as she's a permanent NH resident and no longer in the "community."

Anyway...I would suggest to BrotherWhatley, as did Winebrat months ago to me, that he start with the DADS website. (See the earlier links or Google "TX DADS" and you'll get there.) Or call the social worker at the NH you might be considering and ask him/her how to make it work. We looked at a different NH a while back and the admissions person said we would have to pay out of pocket until the Medicaid was approved, but at that point we would be REIMBURSED for those payments.

[EM1956]

I agree that the DADS website is great and has tons of useful information.

Also, BrotherWhatley, whatever facility your loved one is currently in, there should be a social worker who can help guide you through this huge bureaucracy! Good Luck and I hope that all works out well.

CatFancier- I am glad that your mom is in a good place! Our elderly need more concerned children like you!

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by EM1956

First off, I was not scolding or spanking her.
And while she followed the advice given to her for her situation, she also advocated that advice for someone else with a different situation.

And I apologized for coming off heavy handed--- but I encounter fraud on an almost weekly basis!

And I'm quite sure Shelbygirl can speak for herself.

Yep, Shelbygirl can speak for herself, and always has been able to. That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to my opinion.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by catfancier

I didn't realize this 7-month-old thread had been revived, so I'll provide a quick update.

In late January my mother went directly from a hospital to a nursing home, and after she was there 30 days I delivered the Medicaid application to the designated representative. I had spoken with a lawyer's office about having them do the app but even they said, because of my mom's very simple financial situation, that I really was capable of doing it myself. It is somewhat time-consuming but ultimately straightforward. (ShelbyGirl's MIL's situation was far more complex and in another state.) I guess I did a good job; the Medicaid rep never called with questions, and the approval came within a month. My mom's Medicaid status was retroactive to the day she entered the NH, which is normal.

There is a difference between "community Medicaid" and "nursing-home Medicaid". While she was still living in her own place (HUD-supported independent senior apartments, not assisted living) she did receive the provider services through a social worker from DADS (state Dept. of Aging and Disability Services). I was told it was a Medicaid _program from combined sources that paid for the provider. I don't pretend to understand how all of that worked behind the scenes. If EM1956 says that means she was _on Medicaid, then maybe it's a fine-print kind of thing? She did not have a Medicaid card, was not on Star Plus or any other such low-income program. She had slightly too much SS to be "on Medicaid." She's very elderly and has disabilities, though, so maybe those were factors in this provider program. I truly don't know. But that's all moot now, as she's a permanent NH resident and no longer in the "community."

Anyway...I would suggest to BrotherWhatley, as did Winebrat months ago to me, that he start with the DADS website. (See the earlier links or Google "TX DADS" and you'll get there.) Or call the social worker at the NH you might be considering and ask him/her how to make it work. We looked at a different NH a while back and the admissions person said we would have to pay out of pocket until the Medicaid was approved, but at that point we would be REIMBURSED for those payments.

Thanks CF for clearing the debate: Was she or wasn't she! LOL...I knew I wasn't going crazy! There is no doubt the difference in applying state to state. You and I found that out with the mere length of Tx app vs the Fla app!
My best to both you and your Mom. I know how tough the whole situation can be.

[YOLANDA CAMPOS]

My dad is in nursing home pending medicaid meanwhile for past 2 months that he has been there they have me turn over his ss check minus 30 dollars he gets to keep. Is this right.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by YOLANDA CAMPOS

My dad is in nursing home pending medicaid meanwhile for past 2 months that he has been there they have me turn over his ss check minus 30 dollars he gets to keep. Is this right.

Sounds right. For my MIL, her entire SS check, minus the $30 (personal money) and she also carries BC/BS which is taken out before the nursing home collects.

[homemakr03]

Can anyone on this thread that has placed their loved one in a "medicaid pending" home please let me know which home they got them into? Every one that I am contacting states they will not accept "medicaid pending" status and we need to pay 3 months up front. We've already been tapped out by my husband's grandmother living with us for 16 years and we have taken care of everything for her over that time. We cannot pay for a home month's on end pending the approval process and she has to have skilled nursing care. She is in hospital at this time, but will need to go to a nursing home afterward. Please advise any information you are aware of regarding this. Thanks so much!