Can a nursing home open patient mail and take checks?

When my Mom entered her LTC I was asked to sign something saying it was OK for the office to receive her mail. I agreed because it could be Medicaid and they needed that info. I had all her other mail, even cards, directed to my house. I was close enough to take the cards to her. Then all the home received was Medicaid info addressed to Mom at the home.

Saying that, I would like to know how the NH was able to cash her check without Moms signature. I would ask the state if it was possible to get the back and front of the check. That you as POA did not endorse the check and Mom didn't either as far as she remembers. If found that the signature is fraudulent, then I would take it to the Administrator.

If you signed nothing saying the NH is allowed to open mail, then they were wrong in doing so unless a written policy. Your Mom is a resident not a prisoner. When you get all the info together, take it to the Post Master at the PO that deliveries that facilities mail.

Come back and tell us what happens.

I don’t know how they took the check, but when my mom was placed in the nursing home this past January we had to grant/deny permission in writing for them to help her with any mail. We told them she could it open it herself, but she doesn’t get anything mailed to her.

Agree with both posters.    It's illegal to open someone else's mail.   And I'm sure it's illegal to cash a check made out to someone else unless the account is held jointly or a POA or DPOA is in place authorizing that entity to cash checks.   

I'm really find this to be quite an arrogant act.

I would say that according to federal law, opening someone else’s mail is a felony offense and punishable by jail time. I don’t think it matters who opens it or whose mail it is. And, taking a check and signing it is fraud, also illegal. I can’t imagine anyone, even a POA giving permission to do either of these. Handling financial affairs is the POA’s responsibility.

Is there a guardian or a POA? There are times they are given checks that come in the mail as a safety procedure. And then those could be signed over as payment for that month. IF the person WAS on medicaid there may be the mistaken belief that they still are and there may be some safeguarding that the person not get a check that will ruin ability to receive medicaid. I honestly don't have a clue, but will be so interested to see what they say, as that check would have had to be signed by SOMEONE and the facility doesn't have the power to do that that I can imagine.DO update us when you find out.