Jun 23, 2009 10:54 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Cutting The Red Tape
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Her 98 year old grandmother has Medi-Cal/Medicare and Secure Horizons. But the nursing home will cover her, if she only has Medi-Cal/Medicare. So why won't Secure Horizons let her cancel her insurance with them?
"I haven't asked for anything except for a letter of disenrollment, please disenroll my grandmother... that's all," says Patricia Valdez, Sacramento resident.
Patricia and her son have been taking care of grandma Jessie in this home for four years. It's the same home Jessie has lived in since 1952.
"She's always looked after herself so this has been real hard on her," says Patricia.
Jessie suffers from high blood pressure and dementia and recently started losing mobility.
"We love having her here. However, her needs are more than we can provide and I don't like to see her struggling and suffering and upset with us," says Patricia.
Patricia wants to move her to Marysville Care Center, where Jessie will have nurses around the clock. But the center doesn't accept any patients covered by an HMO.
In early March, Patricia called Secure Horizons to cancel her grandmother's insurance so she could get in.
"I followed their instructions, it sounded fine except nothing happened," says Patricia.
Patricia says she faxed over the paperwork twice.
But every time she called, Secure Horizons wouldn't discuss whether Jessie was dropped.
"I was so frustrated, I didn't know any other way to get through, all that bureaucracy," says Patricia.
We contacted Secure Horizons. They couldn't talk specifically about her case but in an email, they tell us:
"Ms. Brainard's issue has been successfully resolved... However, we think it's important for viewers to understand the importance of assigning a power of attorney, which allows you to appoint a person or organization to handle your affairs while you're unavailable or unable to do so..."
"My uncle is power of attorney but I've been signing documents for her for the past 10 years," says Patricia.
And she says, she's the one who help sign up her grandmother for Secure Horizons in the first place. Regardless, now grandma Jessie can get into the facility.
"It would be a relief to me and I'd be able to get some closure, knowing she was safe and cared for," says Patricia.
A good reminder, whenever searching for a nursing home, check to make sure it hasn't been in trouble with the state.
You can do so
online with the state Department of Public Health.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Police Storm Home Of Sea Lion Shooting Suspect 1 hr 25 mins ago
Stumble It!
Comments