My father has never been good with money. My father has never been good with making the right decision. My father has never been good with keeping contact with his family. He's always been a conservative man who likes to keep to himself and not deal with things directly. He's always been a "take things as they come" kind of guy.
This has worked out for him until now.
Now Dad's heart is working at about 15% thanks to the high-cholesterol diet and smoking habit and he's extremely senile thanks to the above and a history of alcohol abuse.
This is fine, you know, because he made his choices and he's free to do that. It's America after all.
My problem is with his financial problems. My sister (who lives in Indiana in the same town as my Dad) said she called Medicaid a month ago and she tells me they said to her that they won't want his Medicaid checks for 3 months and that she could use those checks to take care of his business. Last month, she bought him some clothes for the nursing home, paid off his landlord, and bought a dumpster so that this month she could pay to have his mobile home disassembled and taken away. The month after that, we were going to pay for his cremation ahead of time.
Medicaid has sent her a letter saying that Dad owes them his February Medicaid check and every check thereafter.
We are so so so confused. Can anyone help us sort this out? Why would they tell us one thing then turn around and expect something else?
My poor sister is trying to do the honorable thing. She also has to live in this tiny little town where everybody knows everybody so she feels like she has to pay off every debt Dad ran up and get rid of this trailer herself.
I do understand the concept of taking care of your elders (after all they took care of you) but my father mad BAD DECISIONS for which we are now paying. I'd just as soon wash my hands of the situation, but I have to respect my sister's needs. She has to live with these people, as does her son and husband.
Is running up my credit card debt the only thing I can do right now? Does anyone have experience they can impart upon me? I'm truly at my wit's end!
For the first time in my life, I wish I were a lawyer. I've no experience with Medicaid, but here's some general issue resolution ideas:
If she has any record of the phone call (date, time, especially name of the person she talked to), follow up with that same department or person. Burn up the phone lines and ask (politely) to speak to supervisors. No matter who was wrong, ask for exceptions or variances for this case.
Try other organizations like United Way.
Call your dad's local Representatives. Believe it or not, that's part of what they are there for.
If he's a member of any groups (a veteran, retiree association, etc.) contact them and see if they have member assistance.
There may be free legal aid in his area. Lawyers sometomes to pro bono work.
Every time you or she talk to somebody, log the number called, date, time, person's name, and what was said. Documentation is key in a matter like this. You can use it if it comes to letter writing Don't give up. Good luck. I hope somebody else has more direct experience.
For the first time in my life, I wish I were a lawyer. I've no experience with Medicaid, but here's some general issue resolution ideas:
If she has any record of the phone call (date, time, especially name of the person she talked to), follow up with that same department or person. Burn up the phone lines and ask (politely) to speak to supervisors. No matter who was wrong, ask for exceptions or variances for this case.
Try other organizations like United Way.
Call your dad's local Representatives. Believe it or not, that's part of what they are there for.
If he's a member of any groups (a veteran, retiree association, etc.) contact them and see if they have member assistance.
There may be free legal aid in his area. Lawyers sometomes to pro bono work.
Every time you or she talk to somebody, log the number called, date, time, person's name, and what was said. Documentation is key in a matter like this. You can use it if it comes to letter writing Don't give up. Good luck. I hope somebody else has more direct experience.
Good advice Treppa, and good luck Loopy.