Hi, trying to get my Mom further evaluation in order to get some psychological help but was told by the business office at the NH that Mom could only have one claim in at a time and the skilled bed was it until she comes off the rehab benefits. I asked Medicare and they told me there is a wealth of Mental Illness Benefits she can receive but the said nothing about this glitch. The mental stimulation from a psycotherapist would help with the physical therapy I would think. Any helpful thoughts out there? Thanks!
At my mom's snf, there is a Behavioral Health team that comes into the facility to do medication and behavioral symptom management. At least in mom's case, they have been spot on and have actually been able to reduce some of the anxiety meds she was on by switching to melatonin at night. In fact, in IL and ALs mom was in, there was always on site psych services.
As for medical transport, Medicare does not cover that. Medicaid does, im told. A recent trip to the dermatologist ( 10 minutes away) was $150.
The NH sid she can only get the rehab while in a skilled bed then when that is all paid out she can get mental help and that is because they say Medicare will only pay for one code at a time. There is all kinds of Mental help for the elderly and I thought it would be good as to help her with the rehab in getting her to pay more attention and not just let the therapists do all the work in moving her arms and legs.
Now she will have to learn to walk again and her 100 days are almost up and if she gets an extension medicare will pay only 80% so we will have to come up with the other 20 which is 161.00 a day. She does not qualify for Medicaid. The NH won't give her anything at night to help her sleep, I have begged them to but they say they don't want to over medicate her and she has always proven to be more relaxed after a good night sleep. This is the only NH in the area that has Long Term Care beds so I don't have much choice.
Many Blessings!
Glodeo