Dear Chuck,
I have copied your letter for our future. I have gone to an elder attorney, but I am scared of the time when we have to apply for Medicaid. This is a community property state, so we could end up in the poor house, I guess. Dick and I have talked of divorce for that very reason, but he cannot bear the thought of it. He has this fear that I will leave him, which I never would do. My attorney said not to get divorced, that it would not save us. We live in New Mexico. The disease is bad enough without the additional stress of ending up completely unable to pay bills. As we get older, my body is getting more injured more frequently when I have to move Dick around or catch him when he falls, etc. He does not qualify for Medicaid because our income is too high at the moment. I am paying for some help and get three hours a week of respite from the county, but I often have to use it for dr.'s appts. or physical therapy......Once in awhile, I take a nap.
By the time I get to town, which is about 40 minutes, it is time to come back. I'm happy that your case turned out favorably. Thank you for sharing.
Elaine, care partner for Dick
________________________________
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2009 12:47:46 AM
Subject: for those old timers that remember
This is Chuck using Joyce's membership to sign on.
After nearly 28 years with PD, Joyce is still with us in (almost) fine
condition.
After personally funding her live-in companion(s) since 1996 it was
impossible to continue
and I had to seek alternative ideas.
Some of you might remember my sadness to have to make the decision to
divorce Joyce in order to make
a Medicaid application for assistance. Finally I had no choice and we
were divorced in 2007.
What followed was the most difficult financial audit in my lifetime.
having a private business I was subjected to state and federal examinations
including state sales tax audits. I passed all without exemption!!!
Nothing can compare to a medicaid audit. I hired the top medicaid lawyer
in South Carolina, called many times to testify in front of state
appellate and federal level counts including the US Supreme court for medicaid
cases. She knows her stuff.
The current look back is five years but she found a provision to narrow it
to three....big deal...!!
Folks, if anyone is considering applying to Medicaid be ready to provide
in duplicate and triplicate every single transaction from whatever source
which can be shown which could be thought of as a way to reduce the
beneficiaries assets. For me it was a five month process and a dossier of nearly
4 inches of papers. EVERYTHING financial over $1000 was requested in more
than one direction. What made it soooo difficult was that the three years
prior included years that we were married and co mingled investment and
bank accounts. Ouch.
Items such as helping our son's wedding, our other son's car down payment
and many more normal family actions that were NOT accepted because in
effect it was considered a gift. believe me this sucked.
If any lives in South Carolina there is another program under which the
patient can apply and which is for the most part not publicly advertised. I
will supply the info if you ask me. The criteria is similar but has some
leeway that straight medicaid does not have.
After 4 months she was accepted for 1/2 of the benefits...medical and
medicine...leaving the actual living expenses in a nursing home (assisted living
is not covered) up in the air. The bills kept coming but since we
didn't know if we were accepted how far back they would cover. so i never
paid anything except her personal care items.
I contacted the state ombudslady who after hearing and reading my letter
asking for her support agreed to act on my behalf...the lawyer was against a
brick wall...
It worked and with a lot of tears from the lawyer, ambudslady and ME last
week I received notice that she qualified for the missing link and I was
totally free of ALL expenses.
Joyce is now living in a nursing home in Columbia, South Carolina, using a
power wheelchair to get around and which opened a new world for her. Her
PD symptoms continue as was for years and years...no use of her legs
complicated by the loss of the use of her right hand due to an car accident.
She is the life of the party, knows everyone, just received an honor for
redesigning and reorganizing the library, credited with starting a maj jong
game club..and known as somebody who will always bring a smile to anyone
near.
Nobody every accepts PD or a nursing home but she has made peace with
herself...i think...
We remain closest friends and I am thankful to my current wife who totally
supports my efforts and actions for Joyce. Although they havent met,
Joyce continually sends her thanks to us both.
If anyone is interested in writing to her, and although she cant write
back, she will dictate to me and Ill answer all mail. I will give her
address to anyone interested who requests it to Joyce's private email
at [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
I had to share this experience for those who find themselves facing
financial disaster due to the care giving expenses which will keep mounting.
The thought of divorce was the hardest but something that MUST be done,
good luck to all..
Chuck CG Joyce first dx 1981 now 65 years old.
**************Stay connected and tighten your budget with a great mobile
device for under $50. Take a Peek!
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100122638x1221845911x1201401556/aol?redir=http://www.getpeek.com/aol)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
