I had the following conversation this morning:
Q: “Can they really kick my Mom out of the nursing home when her Medicare runs out?”
A: Under Virginia law, they can kick you out for non-payment yes.
Q: “But doesn’t the facility have to care for her?”
A: They are a for profit facility and no, they don’t have to keep her there – especially if their staff doctor says she can be discharged.
Q: “But she is on oxygen, can’t walk and has dementia.”
Bottom Line – For-profit facilities like patients who are private pay and/or Medicare. If your family member can’t pay, but doesn’t have Medicaid or Medicare coverage yet – they can ask you to leave. Non-payment is a legal reason to remove someone from a facility.
The almighty dollar does dictate health care in Virginia, more than most people would think.
Always look to Non-Profit healthcare FIRST. Want to know what Virginia facilities are non-profit – look here – www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/.