What Happens If You Run Out Of Money While In A Nursing Home

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When first deciding upon nursing home for a loved one, it is advisable to visit a number of different nursing homes on weekdays as well as weekends. While there you should observe the care that the staff of the nursing home provides to its residents.

It is often a good idea to visit the facility during mealtime as well as during different times of the day.

Although most nursing homes properly care for their residents there are a surprisingly large number that have a history of nursing home abuse. By visiting a variety of residences you can often get a very good feel for which ones take the best care of their residents.

Being a resident of a nursing home can be a very expensive proposition. For the most part, the average cost of a nursing home in the United States runs between $75 per day to over $400 per day.

These fees pay for routine nursing services, room, board, linens, and toiletries such as soap, tissues and shampoo. However there can be additional fees for medications, having the staff do the residents personal laundry, incontinent supplies, therapy, and more.

If a private party lives in a Medicaid certified nursing home and he or she runs out of the money to pay for the fees, the resident can apply for Medicaid. The admissions staff or the social worker at the nursing home should then provide the resident with information about the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and assist them with applying for their Medicaid benefits.

A nursing home that is certified for Medicaid is legally prevented from discharging residents for nonpayment while their Medicaid applications are pending. If the residents ultimately qualify for Medicaid benefits, Medicaid will then reimburse the nursing facility for the care of the residents retroactively to the date that of their applications for the benefits.

However, if the resident lives in a nursing home that is not Medicaid certified, then he or she can be discharged at the time that the nursing home bills aren't being paid. In these instances, the nursing home staff is required to provide the resident with adequate notification and to help the person to find an appropriate placement.

If, according to Medicaid guidelines, a person needs nursing home care but is not eligible because of resources or income that is greater than the allowed limit they may still be able to qualify for Medicaid. To qualify they will have to determine which of their resources are exempt or they will need to "spend down" their countable income.

If someone you love ends up in a nursing home where you see examples of elder abuse you should contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer.