By skyforbes My mother (92y) is Medicaid qualified for LTC. She is now in her 2nd nursing home which was an intercounty transfer in June and is waiting for MA to "open" for the 2nd nursing home.
Meanwhile, she just received a refund check from the 1st nursing home for $4,841. Wondering why, I spoke with someone from the 1st facility's corporate office who said that according to Medicaid (the county assistance office maybe) patient liability costs were overcharged for a number of months resulting in the refund.
Due to pension/SS amounting to 3,100/ mo, she cannot have more than 2,400 in her account (only asset is a checking account). Pennsylania resident.
What do I do about this check which will put her at "over-resource" level potentially putting her Medicaid benefit at risk? The business office is not giving me much advice except to say that "maybe the state will ask for it back".
OTOH, I spoke with a certified medicaid planner who said to deposit and spend down on comfort items for my mother within 30 days of the deposit. She could definitely use a decent wheelchair but that is DME and "supposed to be paid with Medicaid". She could also use glasses, a Kindle for reading or something to listen to music on. But I just don't know if this is good advice or could be problematic.
would appreciate any advice on this, thank you.