Bad News for Uncle D...

[doxielady5569128]

I am so angry and frustrated right now.  I'm going to apologize in advance for my rambling because I think this message will end up pretty long.    Uncle D was informed today that his Medicare coverage had "ran out!"  He is now going to be placed in Medicaid.  What this means for him is no more physical therapy, and that he will lose his house, vehicles, and any other assests to "pay" for his care.    I am so angry they are taking away his therapy!!!!      He was soo close to being able to walk on his own again.   Now, he will be "stuck" in his chair for life.  There is literally no hope for him ever walking again now.    No walker, nothing.  This is just not fair!!   

My uncle worked his ENTIRE life saving and scrimping so he could build himself a beautiful home and buy his dream car for his wife.    He served our country during World War II and is getting repaid by losing everything he worked so hard to achieve.   He  lost his health insurance when his wife got lung cancer for the 2nd time.    He stood by her side as she lay dying in their home.   He truly is one of my heroes.   

Uncle D cannot get into a veteran's home because the waiting list is over a year long.   His only option is to stay where he is and wait for an opening in Bellvue, NE which is closer to his son, but hours away from my family and all his friends.        We only hope that when he moves  his son and daughter will make it to see him at least once a week.    Right now, we are begging them to visit even on holidays!!   

Uncle D is VERY depressed about all of this and needs lots of extra prayers.   He wanted to give his pickup to my dad and is beyond angry that he can't do that now.  He is also outraged that he can't keep his house (he built with his own hands!) in the family.   He can't even sell it.   

I can't type anymore.  I'm too upset to write anything else.

Thanks for listening!

[papbouv]

Does not sound right they can take everything away like that think I would seek out a Lawyer Aid type place and ask questions know you are not immediate  family but you could ask in his behalf. Would think they would have put the house and vehicles in the son's name before now just to keep them in the family. Also know no one is expecting to fall cannot see the future but still  sounds wrong they can take everything like that it is wrong,wrong,wrong. Vent any time that is what e- friends are for maybe some one knows something we don't. What I do not understand my Dad was in the Army for 11 months spent all his time in Texas never left the states the VA did everything for him set up day care, physical therapy, got all his medications, & even did a Alzheimer's screening on him. My husband was in Viet Nam for over 2 years I just got him started in the VA medical but they said they would not touch his neck with a 10 foot pole, he broke his neck in May 09 lost his job & health insurance in Aug 09.His bone graft is not healing that they put in his neck so not sure what will happen now.The VA PA said they do not have Neurosurgeons I find that odd.
Sure hope something can happen good for Uncle Dallas Rays & Hugs sent his way also Dashie & Dobe licks.

[doxielady5569128]

Thank you!!!   I am still really angry about the whole situation.   His children are talking to a lawyer trying to fight all this, and my husband is talking to our family lawyer about all this.   We know a person who is the head of nursing at the local Veteran's home so we are going to also call her and see if maybe she could pull some strings and get him in faster because of the stuff that is happening to him.   If he goes to the Veteran's home, he will get back his therapy and state funded care immediately.   The only problem is the wait list.  I know the only way spots open up is when people pass on, and I hate that I am praying for a spot to open soon.  That means someone else will lose their special family member or friend.   I am really struggling with that idea.   

That is crazy that different VA hospitals tell you different things.  Its too bad they all couldn't help all our veterans.   We really should be begging our senators and state leadership to build more so no other veterans "fall therough the cracks" like my Uncle and so many other people I know.    Its just sad.  If anyone deserves free healthcare, it should be them first.   (IMHO)   

How is a man on a fixed income (social security), supposed to pay $4900 for his care a MONTH!!   :crazyeyes: I know lots of working people that wouldn't be able to do that.   It jus doesn't make sense to me.   And we were told that was the minimum projected cost for his care each month!   

[DeeanDave]

One of our neighbors went through something similar with her husband who had to go into a nursing care facility and went on Medicaid.  She hired an attorney to help her through it all.  She had to put the house, car, etc., all in her name only and had to spend down their savings to a certain amount.  She couldn't give the money to her kids....she had to spend it.....so she got portions of the house remodeled, new furniture, etc.  Not something she wanted to do but had to or she would lose it. 

[papbouv]

Health care for anyone is just plain evil no one cares what happens to anyone else I'm talking doctors,hospitals,nursing homes even drug costs have went sky high. heard on the News here that some of the Drug companies  have/or are charging Medicare patients higher prices just so they can make more monies.??? Then they went on to say some of the Drug companies already have Billions of dollars???
If your Uncle Dallas got a Purple Heart in the war he would have everything free and would go to the top of the list my cousin has one he is treated like Royalty. Know most men in the Service may not talk of any medals they received so that is something you might ask about.? I'm sure there has to be away for Uncle Dallas to save the home & truck even if you file Bankruptcy you get to keep your home and car so do not see how Medicade could just step in and take everything. It would not be that hard for the son to step up to the plate and take his father in but does not sound like he would since he does not visit him he may be sorry one day. What comes around goes around he may be in the same boat one day.Saw a bumper sticker Be Good to your Kids they will pick your Nursing Home one Day. Sure hope there is a Loop hole in this mess somewhere I agree someone that old deserves better.

[sollysmom]

I don't know if this will help, but my Dad spent 20 years serving our country.  He has insurance called Tri Care for Life.  I don't know if your uncle qualifies for this, but it can't hurt to check into it.  Good luck!!!  :xfinger:

Darcel

[doxielady5569128]

I have some clarification to make.  I misunderstood something when I was speaking to my mom about all of ths yesterday.   I guess a letter was sent to Uncle Dallas telling him his coverage would lapse in 60-90 days and he needed to prepare.     What this means is we still have time to fight it and he can still get his therapy until the date when they end his coverage.     I am sorry for my mistake in not understanding the situation properly!!  I am still angry that they even are threatening him with something like this.  He doesn't need any extra worries right now, he needs to focus on healing.

Thanks for all your kind words and great ideas.   We are doing EVERYTHING possible to keep this from happening.   I can't help but think of all the people who don't have families to fight for them when this happens.   What happens to them???   It makes me heartbroken to even think about that.    My husband and I are going to try to add him on our insurance, however, we are doubting it would be allowed.  We are trying anyway.    :xfinger:   We understand how expenisive it could be for us, and we are willing to make all the sacrifices necessary should they agree to it. 

I don't believe he has a purple heart as he was an airplane mechanic for the Flying Tigers.  He did see some pretty heavy fighting and was in some scary situations, but never received any medals.  I will definately check into that tough.  Thanks for that info!!!  We are trying to make sure that he does not sign any papers, etc... until we finish talking with the lawyers and such.     His daughter bought him a guestbook and has instructed Dallas to have everyone that enters his room sign it.   She has asked the nurses to sign it each time and indicate what they did while they were in there.  We are trying to keep someone there 24 hours a day, but there have been times, where we can't have someone there.    I am concerned that he is so drugged on pain meds, he might not fully understand what is going on and sign something then.   

I'll keep everyone posted as often as I can.    Thanks again for all the helpful info!!!!