Rich Laurendi
Jul 2026
Medicaid Applicants Be Ware: If you are in the unfortunate situation, like I was, where your elderly parent needs care but you need medicaid to help support the costs, please be ware. My mother was admitted in Aug/Sept of 2025. Around Nov 2025 I started working with the Naperville facility's financial coordinator - delivering financial info, varies other documents they said were required. This went on until about April 2026. Up until April 2026 we were paying in full, but she reached the minimum funds that you are allowed to keep. In May 2026 thru July 2026 we were only being charged the amount of Social Security less some health care coverage costs. Thru these months I am assuming that medicaid has kicked in plus I did not hear from the financial coordinator which told me things were at least being taken care of. My mother passed away at Naperville facility on July 11, 2026. After not hearing from the facility for months I get a message on July 14, 2026 (3) days after my mothers passing which essentially was a collection call.<br><br>Facility message: "I was sorry to hear of mom's passing - my condolences.<br><br>In looking at the documents that have been provided for her Medicaid Application - 2 questions:<br>Do you still want us to pursue the application?"<br><br>Me: "I am not familiar with this process. Would there be a reason for still pursuing it? Not sure why I’d want to?"<br>- Now I am saying this thinking she is already on Medicaid.<br><br>Facility message: "If we do not pursue the Medicaid Application, the balance due would be roughly $22,000.00 - if she has these funds, there would be no need to complete the application. If these funds are not available, then I would say we need to complete the application - please let me know as soon as possible."<br><br>Now I am thinking: Wait? - What? - did we stop pursuing it? I thought it was already in place? Does she have the funds? Obviously not - isn't this why you reduced her monthly payment?<br><br>Contacted my lawyer: He suggested I get the following: 1. Date they filed for Medicaid and the confirmation number. 2. What is the status? Approved? Pending? Denied?<br><br>So I ask the financial coordinator to provide...<br><br>Facility Message: "I would need to check with my Medicaid Liaison as I do not file the applications."<br><br>Now I am thinking: Shouldn't you check on this first? Before asking me if we want to pursue?<br><br>They clearly never filed!!!!!<br><br>I am only writing this to help other families who are in a situation where there are health concerns and financial concerns. There is no play book for children trying to help there elder parents. I hope this helps you...<br><br>My advice: If you are putting someone on Medicaid and that facility is 'helping' you do it. Stay on them for filing dates, confirmation numbers... in the end, you are not dealing with experts, but who can afford a lawyer to help when you can't pay for the facility? Just stay on them about the financial support until you have what you think you need. And peace of mind.<br><br>Meadowbrook you couldn't even wait till after I buried her to start with collections? SMH
