Hi, I’m James with Parkinson disease. i have had Parkinson for 20 years, but now it is getting worse and i need 24 hour care. i thought i could get in the nursing home, but found out its nearly impossible. you can’t get in the nursing home on Medicare unless you’ve been in the hospital the 3 days prior, and you can’t get in the hospital because your doctor says you don’t have any visible injury or broken bones. and you can’t get in on Medicaid because you have to have been in the nursing home for 30 days. this is unreal. I’m unable to care for myself and have no one that can. Does anyone know how to get through this classic government stumbling block?....THANKS
Blessings,
Bridget
Medicaid will be possible once you assets run out - Medicaid help for the poor so you need to qualify financially. Medicare doesn't pay for nursing homes, long-term, though as has been pointed out, states vary with what they pay for.
If your doctor says you need nursing home care, you likely can get it, but it will probably be private pay until you no longer have assets, then you will qualify for Medicaid.
I agree that you may need another doctor to help you jump through the hoops. I also agree you may need to get on a nursing home list, as the best ones often have waiting lists. However, that can change fast when many of their residents are in the 80s and 90s. So, don't let a list discourage you.
The suggestion that you go to www.medicare.gov is excellent. If you spend time on the site you can get some good information. Do some of the footwork yourself (or get a friend or family member to do it), and see if a different doctor is necessary. Maybe being more insistent about your need for better care is what is needed with this doctor. Good luck - it's often a longer and more complicated journey to get care than it should be, but that is the reality we face at this time.
Carol