One option that might be available to make the holidays more fun is taking your loved one home for the holidays. You might not think that this is an option, given the Medicare and Medicaid rules. But, in some situations, it will be possible to take your loved one out of the nursing home during the holidays. To learn more about this option, read on.
Your family might worry that your loved one will lose their Medicare coverage if they leave the home. Consider your personal situation before taking your loved one home for the holidays.
Medicare Coverage
Luckily, Medicare coverage states that nursing home residents can leave the nursing home facility to attend family events while still maintaining Medicare. But, keep in mind that your loved one might get charged a fee. This might happen in the following situations:
- If the leave of absence from the nursing home lasts for an extended period of time.
- If the leave of absence requires the help of nursing home staff members.
Leaving the Nursing Home
Every leave of absence from a nursing home is unique. Even though your loved one might not lose Medicare coverage, a nursing home might not always approve your loved one leaving the home. Decisions about leaving the nursing home need to take into consideration your loved one’s care plan, care needs, and the arrangements needed to keep your loved one safe. You should make sure that your loved one is healthy enough leave the nursing home for any period of time. This is a decision that your family can make with the help of a doctor or nursing home staff members.
If your loved one leaves the nursing home or care facility and returns before midnight of the same day, the home can simply bill Medicare for the day. However, if your loved one leaves the facility overnight, the home views this as a leave of absence. Because of this, you must pay for this time.
Medicare makes it clear that just because a nursing home resident leaves the home for a short period of time, this does not mean that they do not need the assistance of a skilled nursing facility. This allows nursing home residents to spend events such as holidays, religious events, or family events outside of the nursing home. If your family wants to take advantage of this opportunity, you should contact your loved one’s nursing home as soon as possible.
