Despite the name, a Medicaid bed isn’t an actual bed. Instead, it refers to what is known as a bed-hold policy. This means that certain residents of nursing homes can return to their beds if they are temporarily absent from the facility.

The Nursing Home Reform Act allows those who qualify for Medicaid benefits to take advantage of “Bed-Hold and Readmission rights. These rights are not available to Medicare beneficiaries, so what this means is that those who get Medicaid and who are required to leave the facility for hospitalization or therapeutic reasons, they have the right to return, and the nursing home must hold the bed for them for a certain period of time. Although, if the absence should go beyond the bed-hold period, and if the person still requires skilled or intermediate nursing care, he or she will then be entitled to the first bed available in a semi-private room at the facility.

There are both federal and state laws in place, along with regulations, that require nursing facilities to give out written information to the elder and his or her family members that goes into detail regarding the bed-hold policy as outlined in the State Medicaid plan. However, this isn’t normal procedure for those who get reimbursed by Medicare for their care. Those individuals might be required to pay any bed-hold fees that have been instituted by the facility.

This means that people insured by Medicare aren’t protected by the above rules and regulations. However, those who aren’t protected aren’t completely left out in the cold. They have the option too either pay the daily rate in order to keep the bed or take the chance that a bed will be available elsewhere once the elder is covered by Medicaid—though this is understandably more difficult.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.