Question
My father-in-law was admitted into the hospital last week and has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease that will no longer allow him to work. He is 61 years old, makes $300/wk and has no health insurance. His son lives with him and helps with household expenses. We are currently applying for medicaid as the doctor is going to indicate that he is disabled, so he should qualify. However, we have two concerns. 1. We know that they are going to request copies of his household utilities to determine income. All the utilities are in the father's name. However, since we are saying he is disabled and no longer working and therefore, unable to pay the bills, during the approval period, would it be unwise for his son to pay these bills for him? Could the fact that the bills are being paid be a reason to deny him the coverage? 2.We are planning to relocate him to FL after he is released from the hospital to live with his daughter, as his home care will be better provided there. How will this work with the medicaid coverage? Should we just wait until he moves to FL to apply since it can't be transferred, and if so, will it cover the hospital bills incurred here in NY??
Answer
Hi Christina
This is far too complicated to be done by e-mail, so I am referring you to my counterpart in NY, Call 1-800-701-0501 and you will get the nearest SHIP unit. They are Medicare trained counselors. Get together with one of them and they will guide you through the process. Their number in FL is 1-800-963-5337.
I usually spend 1 to 2 hours in a counseling session for this.
Hope this is helpful to you.
John
