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I recently called the funeral home to inquire about the status of my aunt’s prepaid funeral plan. They said there is now a 560.00 shortfall. The nursing home told me that I can use the money in my aunt’s Personal Needs account to pay for the shortfall. Do I need to request a bill from the funeral home?

I didn't have to pay any extra for my dad's or mom's cremation. They did not want funerals, so I suppose that is the difference. (I had a celebration of life for them at their home after Mom died). I have been aware that prices go up and have hesitated to prepay for my own burial expenses. I would choose a natural burial. I even wonder what would happen if the funeral home closes before I die. What then?
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Reply to ArtistDaughter
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The money in my mother's pre-paid funeral account did not have enough money to cover the funeral she wanted. We scaled back a lot. All the costs went up in the 8 years since she had set it up, The services that stayed the same were only those the funeral home provided. The funeral home was decent about working with us to pick and choose what we needed. At the end we had $200 left which we put into my father's funeral account

Ask the nursing home what they need. I am sure it will involve an invoice from the funeral home.
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Reply to Hothouseflower
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Sheesh, what a scammy industry.
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Reply to brandee
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JoAnn29 19 hours ago
After 25 years I am sure funeral costs have skyrocketed. My thought was, only $560? I don't think having a prepaid funeral locks the cost in. There must be a contract. I had one for my Mom.
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This doesn’t surprise me a bit. I truly found funerals homes and cemeteries to be horrible vultures when my dad died. He’d long ago prepaid for funeral and buried. Yet when I arrived to schedule it, they tried in many ways to extract more money. I was so sad and overwhelmed I didn’t half know what they were talking about. The one thing I knew was not to agree with or sign anything. My husband, thankfully, reviewed it all and called them on their BS. The only extra we paid was the opening and closing of the vault, what they term the concrete casing that holds the casket. The rest was just them being slimy. I don’t know about using aunt’s personal needs account, but I do advise waiting and being very sure of what you’re agreeing to pay. I wish you well
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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You need to talk to the person who handles the PNA account. You have to be authorized to withdrawl from the PNA. Yes, you need a receipt to withdrawal for anything.

What is the shortfall, the difference between the cost 25 yrs ago and the cost now. If so, I would wait till her death and see how the acct stands. Does she have the assets allowed. My State its 2k. It could be taken from there.

When Aunt passes, the Executor will get a short certificate from Probate. PNA accts and the assets allowed become part of Aunts estate. The Executor will be allowed to get the PNA funds with a death and short certificate. I think if there is a shortage the Funeral home will still bury Aunt if they get an agreement that shortage will be taken care of.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Yes, you should receive the invoice and a statement of payment as support documentation if/when Mediciad renewal application is submitted.

You also do not want the personal needs account to have too much money because this is considered an asset and factored into the threshold amount your aunt has to qualify for Mediciad Long Term Care. And at least in NYS, the account balance will not be refunded after her death. Use the money for her needs like clothing, blankets, special treats and so forth. Keep the reciepts.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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