• Name of phisician you would like to have follow the resident.
• Medicare Card, Medical Assistance Card, Social Security Card.
• Medical Insurance information, policy numbers, name of company, agent, etc.
• Power of Attorney Guardianship documents.
• Obtain an Advanced Directives form that offers guidance about future medical decisions such as life support or organ donation.
• Name and addresses of nearest relatives such as spouse, children and/or other family members. Two contacts in case of emergency.
• Vital medical history.
• Psycho-social needs of resident.
• Allergies, medical alerts/reactions.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for pesons age 65 or older and persons with certain disabilities.

There are two distinct parts to Medicare:

• Part A (hospital insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care and hospice care.
• Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover many medical supplies and services not covered by Part A.

Medicare helps cover residents in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) when they no longer require intensive hospital care. The patient may still need skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services on a daily basis. These services covered by Medicare enable a patient to better recover from serious injury, illness or surgery.

In order to qualify for SNF care under Medicare you must:

• Have been in a hospital for at least three consecutive days not counting the day of discharge. This stay must take place whithin thirty days prior to SNF admission date.
• Require daily nursing care and rehabilitative services for a condition that was treated in the hospital.

Medicare Part A helps cover up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility per benefit period. For the first twenty (20) days of the benefit period, medicar Part A will cover all costs for SNF care. For the next eigthy (80) days, Medicare pays all costs except for the Part A "coinsurance".

Many medical supplement insurance policies will cover the cost of the coinsurance per day. Some examples of a supplemental insurance are Blue Cross and Blue Shield 65 Special and AARP.

If you are not eligible for Medicare coverage and are not able to privately pay for your stay at a SNF, assistance will be provided in completing an application for Medical Assistance from the Department of Public Welfare.

Medical Assistance is a federal-state cooperative assistance program for individuals of any age who meet financial and medical requirements. To receive these benefits in a nursing facility, the placement must be medically necessary for either skilled or intermediate nursing care and approved by the attending phisician.

Medical Assistance will cover whatever costs the patient is unable to pay and will allow the patient $30.00 per month for personal care items and enough money for medical insurance. If a spouse is living in the resident's home, the home is considered "exempt" even for a permanent nursing home placement. Determination of eligibility is mady by the County Department of Public Welfare, not the nursing facility.

• Social Security Card.
• Personal identification and proof of age (birth certificate, driver's license, etc.)
• Medicare Card
• Registration card for motor vehicles owned by the prospective resident.
• Proof of all income (payment books or documents showing balance owed on an automobile, home, etc.)
• Verification of assets you own or own jointly such as: checking and savings accounts, CD's, stocks, life insurance policies, burial funds, bonds, health or accident policies and other forms of financial resources.
• If the resident or spouse is a veteran, please bring any papers that show veterans claim number, pension, disability compensation awards or allotment.
• Proof of application of federal benefits such as Social Security, veterans benefits and any letters or notices regarding Workers Compensation, etc.
• Copy of the deed for the resident's home.
• Divorce papers if applicable.