As my 84-year-old mother and I wait for yet another decision from the Seneca County Department of Jobs and Family Services, I'm left to wonder how many other families are left to fend for their relatives who are suffering from a variety of severe health ailments who need 24/7 care in a long-term care facility.
My 88-year-old father, whose physician order stated, "I certify that continued inpatient care is required at an intermediate/skilled level of care," was denied Medicaid coverage for the third time without DJFS ever considering state law relevant to his case. We were granted review today because of the intervention by the Ohio Department of Aging, but if this isn't successful, my father will be evicted from the nursing home he has called home since September 2011.
We don't blame Autumnwood Care Center, as we understand their situation, and he has received excellent care at the facility. The fault lies within Seneca County DJFS, which has delayed, delayed, delayed its decision way past the time allotted to the point where there is no money left to pay for my father's care. They did not say his Medicaid decision was delayed with a penalty but absolutely denied his coverage. There is a big difference with this, as now he must reapply for Medicaid, which now delays coverage once again. I have to wonder if this delay tactic is a strategy within Seneca County Department of Jobs and Family Services.
We have an attorney and he has filed a brief with the court to hear this case, but because of the delay from the Seneca County DJFS, my father will be evicted long before the court case is heard. His eviction date is set for Sept. 16. I don't know what we are going to do when that dates arrives.
My father is a decorated World War II veteran and had planned for a possible nursing home stay. He and my mother should NOT be penalized in this manner by the Seneca County Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Sincerely,
Sandy Batdorff Petros,
Mount Vernon
