Many skilled nursing facilities apply for Medi-Cal benefits for their patients in order to get paid for their services. Unfortunately, even for skilled nursing facilities, the Medi-Cal Application process can be quite overwhelming.
As a result, we have expanded our practice to include representation of skilled nursing facilities seeking payment for their Medi-Cal patients.
Some of the types of cases we can assist with are as follows:
Incapacitated Patients:
In instances where a patient at a skilled nursing facility may have the assets to pay privately, but lacks capacity and a Power of Attorney, Medi-Cal can pay the skilled nursing facility bills during the time of incapacity.
Because the patient is incapacitated and therefore cannot manage his/her own funds, and because he/she does not have a Power of Attorney to assist with paying bills, the patient’s assets may be considered “unavailable” for purposes of Medi-Cal eligibility.
Our office can assist the skilled nursing facility in getting a Medi-Cal Application approved for such patient so all outstanding bills during the time of incapacity can get paid.
Unreasonable Delay in Application Process:
In instances where a Medi-Cal application has already been filed, but is taking an unreasonably long time to get approved, our office can help expedite the process.
Share of Cost Issues:
Many times while the Medi-Cal Application may get approved, the share of cost is incorrectly computed. We can assist in correction of the share of cost through an administrative appeal or a court proceeding.
Improper Denials:
In instances where a Medi-Cal application was erroneously denied, we will review the file, appeal the denial, and advocate on behalf of the skilled nursing facility to get the Medi-Cal application re-evaluated and the error fixed.
At times, when the case is complicated (for example, it involves a Trust, etc.), the Medi-Cal representative may not know the law and deny the application for excessive assets.
Retroactive Spend-Down Assistance:
Lastly, in cases where the skilled nursing facility has applied for Medi-Cal benefits, and the application is correctly denied for excess assets, we can provide the necessary advice regarding spending down the assets to obtain retroactive Medi-Cal benefits.
For more information and/or a free consultation, contact the Law Offices of Steven M. Ratner.
