Dad and I have been running our separate races against a 30-day clock since June 27^th. We were informed at his last care plan meeting that his last day of Medicare coverage will be today, July 28^th. Since that announcement, Dad’s only goal over the last 30 days was to learn how to transfer himself as a double amputee with two artificial legs. That means he has to be able to transport himself from his wheelchair to a toilet, or a shower bench, or a bed and back without someone helping him. If he can do this, then he can return to his assisted living apartment. 

     I had multiple goals over the last 30 days, but the two key goals were:

• contact a VA attorney to see if Dad is eligible for a pension income based on his service during the Vietnam war era
• find a skilled nursing facility (SNF) he can afford 

     On Friday, June 29^th, I met with the VA attorney to get the pertinent information I needed to determine if Dad would be eligible for benefits. It turns out he doesn’t qualify for the income, but the attorney suggested I explore SNFs that are in smaller towns because they are more affordable, but still provide quality care. His advice resonated with me. I know of several SNFs in rural Kansas towns that have a strong reputation for outstanding care as a SNF. The one he recommended was Parkview in Lockhart, TX. 

     On Sunday, July 1^st, I took a drive to Parkview. I showed up unannounced to see how staff would interact with me. I was allowed to walk through a variety of wings and peer into semi-private rooms. I checked out all of the amenities. It was beautiful, spacious, and it had a warmth to it because of the natural light allowed to come into the facility. I knew my Dad would be comfortable here, and the price was right. But my homework wasn’t done as I needed to look at Austin SNFs. 

     On Wednesday, July 4^th, I spent three hours calling 35 SNFs to get quotes on room rates. My goal was to come up with a top five list of affordable places that I could visit. Out of 35 calls, only one admissions counselor asked about Dad’s insurance. The counselor got excited when she heard “Tricare”. She said, “I have two patients who are at our facility because Tricare granted them physical therapy once their Medicare coverage ran out.” I got excited because God just revealed another option that was never presented by Dad’s social worker. 

     On Thursday, July 5^th, I called Dad’s social worker to relay the Tricare benefit that Dad might be able to obtain. She responded, “I have never heard of this benefit.” (I’m thinking, “I know. God is showing us that.”) She offered to call Tricare to see if this was true, and it was. Tricare will pay 75% of the total daily charge for Dad’s physical therapy, while Dad would be out the remaining 25%. In addition, Dad’s out-of-pocket would be capped at $3,000. He can afford it because the 25% he would have to pay matches almost dollar-for-dollar the amount of credit he is getting each month at the assisted living apartment because he’s not using all of their services. God keeps showing up! 

     On Saturday, July 7^th, I visited five Austin SNFs to get the feel of the environment and the interactions between staff and residents. Everyone I met was glad to give me a tour and let me ask questions. It was a tiring day, but productive because my list shrunk to two affordable SNFs to admit Dad if that was our next step. 

     The social worker officially sent in the request to Tricare for 30 days of physical therapy on July 12^th. Since then it has been a waiting game. Tricare would only approve physical therapy if Aetna sent a denial letter saying they won’t cover Dad once his Medicare-covered days run out on July 28^th. You would think that a simple letter could be faxed or scanned, but Aetna kept dragging their feet. As of Wednesday, July 25^th, we still did not have a letter. Aetna’s delay concerned our family, so I called Parkview to find out what they needed to approve Dad as a new resident in case Tricare denied coverage. They gave me a checklist, and I promptly went to the Medical Records department on the 25th, signed a medical release on behalf of Dad at 2pm, and they were to fax the data so I could get an approval from the Lockhart facility. By 4pm that afternoon, the good news came that the Aetna letter arrived, so that got faxed to Tricare so they could make their decision. 

     In the meantime, my brother and I needed a contingency plan to move Dad out of his apartment this weekend in case Tricare denied coverage. Should Gene go ahead and reserve a U-Haul truck for Friday and see if he can take off on Friday to help move Dad? Gene was wondering how confident I was feeling about Tricare approving Dad for coverage, and all I could offer was “I think so.” Gene decided he would wait until Thursday before reserving a U-Haul truck. 

     At noon Thursday, July 26^th, I called Parkview to see if they had Dad’s medical records, and they said no. That required a flurry of phone calls between me and Dad’s facility to find out why that hadn’t been done. They said they did fax it, and Parkview said they never got it. So I asked medical records to fax it again at 2:30 that afternoon while the admissions counselor was at their fax machine, and it came through just fine. 

     At 3:30pm Thursday, July 26^th, Dad’s rehab team was delighted to call me to let me know that Tricare granted Dad 30 days of physical therapy! After making phone calls to let the family know of the decision, I could only thank God profusely. God delivered a grace gift of 30 more days of physical therapy to enhance Dad’s chances of going back to his assisted living apartment. By Friday morning, July 27^th, Parkview gave me the approval to accept Dad in case he needed a SNF. The race against the clock is over. It’s now up to Dad to prove he can transfer by August 27^th. Please keep praying for him! 

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Lee Ann