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My seriously ill mother wanted to live close to me — but Medicaid said no My seriously ill mother wanted to live close to me — but Medicaid said no
(about 4 hours later)
As anyone with a sick family member will tell you, living close by makes caring for them so much easier. When my mom, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), was told she was probably going to have to spend the rest of her life in a nursing home, it made sense for her to move into one in the same state as me. But Medicaid wouldn’t permit it.As anyone with a sick family member will tell you, living close by makes caring for them so much easier. When my mom, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), was told she was probably going to have to spend the rest of her life in a nursing home, it made sense for her to move into one in the same state as me. But Medicaid wouldn’t permit it.
In the US, states administer their own Medicaid programs, while Medicare, for seniors and the disabled, is federal. Medicare pays for short-term rehabilitation stays, but if a doctor recommends longer-term care, such as assisted living or nursing care, it is Medicaid that picks up the tab – and that comes with rules attached.In the US, states administer their own Medicaid programs, while Medicare, for seniors and the disabled, is federal. Medicare pays for short-term rehabilitation stays, but if a doctor recommends longer-term care, such as assisted living or nursing care, it is Medicaid that picks up the tab – and that comes with rules attached.
My mother lives on her own in a disabled accessible apartment in a building for MS patients in New Jersey. We speak daily, but I don’t drive, so the more than 50-mile trip from my home in NY requires a subway, bus, and cab ride and takes over two hours. We would like to see one another more often than we do now, but the travel costs and time add up. If she were in a nursing home, I would prefer this home be near me so I could visit frequently. If she is no longer living independently in her apartment, what purpose does it serve for her to be stuck in New Jersey, hours away from family?My mother lives on her own in a disabled accessible apartment in a building for MS patients in New Jersey. We speak daily, but I don’t drive, so the more than 50-mile trip from my home in NY requires a subway, bus, and cab ride and takes over two hours. We would like to see one another more often than we do now, but the travel costs and time add up. If she were in a nursing home, I would prefer this home be near me so I could visit frequently. If she is no longer living independently in her apartment, what purpose does it serve for her to be stuck in New Jersey, hours away from family?
The loss of freedom would be incredibly difficult for my mom. Frequent visits would help in relieving some of the stress and give her someone close to relate to when otherwise surrounded by seniors.The loss of freedom would be incredibly difficult for my mom. Frequent visits would help in relieving some of the stress and give her someone close to relate to when otherwise surrounded by seniors.
I was told if I wanted my mom in a local facility, she would have to reestablish residency by moving in with me and applying for Medicaid all over again in my state, then waiting up to 90 days for approval. In the meantime, I would have to pay for a home aide out of pocket, which costs , on average, up to $30 or more per hour. Over 90 days, an eight-hour daily block of care would’ve totaled over $20,000.I was told if I wanted my mom in a local facility, she would have to reestablish residency by moving in with me and applying for Medicaid all over again in my state, then waiting up to 90 days for approval. In the meantime, I would have to pay for a home aide out of pocket, which costs , on average, up to $30 or more per hour. Over 90 days, an eight-hour daily block of care would’ve totaled over $20,000.
On a freelancer’s earnings, this was unfeasible. I wrote to my local representatives and city council members in desperation to see if they could help us get the insurance transferred or application expedited in New York, but heard nothing.On a freelancer’s earnings, this was unfeasible. I wrote to my local representatives and city council members in desperation to see if they could help us get the insurance transferred or application expedited in New York, but heard nothing.
It needn’t be so difficult to transfer Medicaid. In New York City, for example, an emergency application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exists. People who suddenly find themselves homeless or without food or resources can file an emergency application for the program and receive a decision within five days. A similar emergency application process that would allow elderly or disabled Americans to apply for Medicaid in another state and be approved in five days could close this gap. It needn’t be so difficult to transfer Medicaid. In New York City, for example, an emergency application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program exists. People who suddenly find themselves homeless or without food or resources can file an emergency application for the program and receive a decision within five days. A similar emergency application process that would allow elderly or disabled Americans to apply for Medicaid in another state and be approved in five days could close this gap.
We must ensure that disabled and elderly Americans facing this life change don’t have to remain stuck in a place far from their families. Entering into a long-term care facility is a major change. MS is unpredictable and some become disabled enough to require long-term residential care in their 30s, 40s and 50s – far younger than the average nursing home resident. Having the ability to choose a facility near immediate family needs to be an option, especially for loved ones who have decades ahead of them and would benefit from frequent visits.We must ensure that disabled and elderly Americans facing this life change don’t have to remain stuck in a place far from their families. Entering into a long-term care facility is a major change. MS is unpredictable and some become disabled enough to require long-term residential care in their 30s, 40s and 50s – far younger than the average nursing home resident. Having the ability to choose a facility near immediate family needs to be an option, especially for loved ones who have decades ahead of them and would benefit from frequent visits.
Thankfully, my mother’s determination, stubbornness and therapy helped her recover enough to return to her own apartment. She’s mostly in a wheelchair now, but lives independently with the help of a home health aide. However, she’s in her 50s, and with an unpredictable chronic illness like MS, there’s a good chance we’ll be in this position again someday. If and when we are, I hope our family is not kept apart by this red tape.Thankfully, my mother’s determination, stubbornness and therapy helped her recover enough to return to her own apartment. She’s mostly in a wheelchair now, but lives independently with the help of a home health aide. However, she’s in her 50s, and with an unpredictable chronic illness like MS, there’s a good chance we’ll be in this position again someday. If and when we are, I hope our family is not kept apart by this red tape.