Private Duty Nsg. for a Family Member?

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  1. This is a discussion on Private Duty Nsg. for a Family Member? in Private Duty Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... Hi all, I am new and VERY grateful to have found this site! My 88 yr. old father-in-law (FIL)...

    by Feb 26, '11
    Hi all, I am new and VERY grateful to have found this site!

    My 88 yr. old father-in-law (FIL) was recently hospitalized with acute bronchitis, a bowel obstruction and suffered a heart attack while hospitalized. He will be going for 20 days of rehab before he is released. The family, including myself, feel as if he will be unable to go home alone and care for himself any longer. I am an RN (looking for work), and the family thinks it might be best if he comes and lives here with his loving family instead of being placed in a nursing home.

    My question is: Will his private insurance pay for a family member to be his nurse? He had a home health care nurse coming out to his home and her services were paid through the insurance. Just an aside: the estate is willing to pay me for my services, but if he has private insurance, shouldn't my services be reimbursable?

    I have absolutely no idea where to start looking for info on the topic, so ANY AND ALL thoughts, responses are welcomed.
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    by Marsden Feb 26, '11 3:55 pm
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  2. 14 Comments so far...

  3. Feb 26, '11 by
    I do believe that the answer is Yes. I would think that private insurance would pay for a family member to be his nurse.
    Marsden likes this.
  4. Feb 26, '11 by
    Quote from Blackcat99
    I do believe that the answer is Yes. I would think that private insurance would pay for a family member to be his nurse.

    Well that's great to hear! Thank you Blackcat. :heartbeat

    I suppose I should get a copy of his Insurance policy and review it. Also read that since he is a WWII vet:
    Another possibility exists, if either of your parents qualify. There is a program offered through the Veterans' Administration for veterans and their spouses (whether the eligible veteran is living or not) - IF the veteran qualifies. An eligible veteran may qualify for Pension if s/he served at least one day during a declared war (regardless of whether or not s/he served in combat). An additional "Aid and Attendance" benefit is available if the veteran is disabled or needs custodial care, and children can be compensated to provide bonafide care to the veteran. Consult your local VA office for more information. However, beware - many local offices do not provide much information for this benefit - be sure to dig for the facts.
    link

    So much to learn in so little time!
  5. Feb 26, '11 by
    Blackcat, is there a resource link that you based your answer on that you could guide me to?

    I'd be very grateful.

    ~M~
  6. Feb 26, '11 by
    No I don't have any resource link. Actually, It's just my opinion. I hope I am correct. Perhaps you could call his insurance company and ask them just to be sure? Or call some private duty nursing agencies and ask them about it? Good luck. Hopefully, someone else here can direct you to a resource link.
  7. Feb 26, '11 by
    VA Aid and Attendance Special Pension requires form VA Form 21-526. That form number is the keyword to Google on. Your local American Legion hall should have a member or volunteer to help you complete the forms. It's worth it. If the Veteran needs help with 2 or more ADL's the special pension will pay up to approx. $1,500/month. Current and surviving spouses are also eligible.

    Excluding a house and car, assets must be less than $80,000. There is no limit on income, however the costs of care must be higher than income.
    Last edit by CabanaDay on Feb 26, '11
    Marsden likes this.
  8. Feb 26, '11 by
    Thank You, CabanaDay!

    VA Form 21-526. Gotcha.

    You said,
    There is no limit on income, however the costs of care must be higher than income.
    Does this mean the costs of all his care: Food/shelter/clothing/ along with nsg. care and medical related issues?
  9. Feb 27, '11 by
    Quote from Marsden
    Hi all, I am new and VERY grateful to have found this site!

    My 88 yr. old father-in-law (FIL) was recently hospitalized with acute bronchitis, a bowel obstruction and suffered a heart attack while hospitalized. He will be going for 20 days of rehab before he is released. The family, including myself, feel as if he will be unable to go home alone and care for himself any longer. I am an RN (looking for work), and the family thinks it might be best if he comes and lives here with his loving family instead of being placed in a nursing home.

    My question is: Will his private insurance pay for a family member to be his nurse? He had a home health care nurse coming out to his home and her services were paid through the insurance. Just an aside: the estate is willing to pay me for my services, but if he has private insurance, shouldn't my services be reimbursable?


    I am so sorry to hear that I gave you the wrong answer about this situation. When my Mom was alive and on medicaid the elder care lawyer told me that medicaid would pay me as a CNA to stay home and take care of my own mother. I had wrongly assumed that the private insurance would do likewise. However, I did need a break so I hired some caregivers to help out from an agency. I have heard of patients changing from one nursing agency to another. I have heard that they go to the new agency and say I still want the nurse from the old agency and that the nurse then gets hired on to the new agency. I wonder if it would be possible for you to go to a nursing agency and tell them that you want to be his nurse and then you get paid from the agency?

    I have absolutely no idea where to start looking for info on the topic, so ANY AND ALL thoughts, responses are welcomed.
    I wish you the best of luck
  10. Feb 27, '11 by
    I am so sorry to hear that I gave you the wrong answer about this situation. When my Mom was alive and on medicaid the elder care lawyer told me that medicaid would pay me as a CNA to stay home and take care of my own mother. I had wrongly assumed that the private insurance would do likewise. However, I did need a break so I hired some caregivers to help out from an agency. I have heard of patients changing from one nursing agency to another. I have heard that they go to the new agency and say I still want the nurse from the old agency and that the nurse then gets hired on to the new agency. I wonder if it would be possible for you to go to a nursing agency and tell them that you want to be his nurse and then you get paid from the agency?
    Thanks for clarifying, Blackcat.

    I will contact some nursing agencies and other elder-care providers tomorrow and look into the whole situation a little deeper. Trying to find options and guidance in this matter.
  11. Feb 28, '11 by
    Quote from Marsden
    Does this mean the costs of all his care: Food/shelter/clothing/ along with nsg. care and medical related issues?
    OK, I put that a bad way. Another way: unreimbursed medical expenses raise the income ceiling.

    A flatly stated income limit of $13,500/year would turn many away because it sounds so low. But if income is $20,000/year and unreimbursed medical expenses are $7,000 then perhaps the Veteran is eligible.

    Put the broad brush is in your bucket for a change. Un-reimbursed medical expenses can include TED hose, chiropractor, seat-lift chair, dentures, glasses, special diet, hearing aid batteries, supplemental insurance (Medicare Part B), transportation to medical appointments, etc.

    While I am sorry to hear the debilitating illnesses term might be lengthy in your FIL case, that should nevertheless prompt you even more to get the ball rolling on this and apply. That's a lot of assistance over time.

    Be aware there are agencies and individuals who will promise to help you file and begin home visits right away often suggesting an aide providing assistance with ADLs "until you are 'approved by the VA.'" The fine print will no doubt state you are responsible for payment regardless the VA outcome and their filing help may be little more than giving you the form and an envelope.

    http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/vetpen.htm

    BoL
    Marsden likes this.