Toni,
I have a client, Joshua, who just received a bill for his mother’s long-term care paid by Medicaid in the state of Texas. Her care was provided at her house instead of a nursing home during the last few years of his 80-year-old mother’s life. No one informed him that the state was running a tab of all health care expenses that Medicaid paid and wanted to be reimbursed after his mother died.
Medicaid says the $65,000 medical bill must be paid in full. Joshua recently received a document from the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program saying Medicaid wants the money and is filing a lien against the house his mother owned, which Josh now lives in.
Americans need to be aware of their state-specific Medicaid’s rules when receiving “extra” health care, especially if you or your family member owns a home. Thanks, Toni.
— Chuck, an elder care attorney (and Toni Says reader)