Ombudsman helps correct home health care eligibility issue for area man

A building on West Monument Avenue that houses the Dayton-Montgomery County ombudsman's offices. CORNELIUS FROLIK / STAFF

A building on West Monument Avenue that houses the Dayton-Montgomery County ombudsman's offices. CORNELIUS FROLIK / STAFF

Editor’s note: The Dayton Ombudsman Office provides weekly columns to the Dayton Daily News to bring awareness to issues it sees in the community.

Last week a grandson called the Ombudsman Office trying to help his grandfather. The man is recovering from surgery and needs home health care, a skilled nurse, and several medications. The grandson submitted the verifications of the man’s income to the Montgomery County Department of Jobs and Family Services (MCDJFS). However, the grandfather’s home health care, skilled nurse visits and prescription coverage have stopped because he has no medical coverage.

The Ombudsman contacted the staff person at the MCDJFS who was handling the man’s case. The staff person reported that she had called the man and left a message on his voice mail. The message informed him that only one page of the grandfather’s bank statement had been received. She added that a bank statement for his account was required to confirm eligibility. If the account has been closed, then a statement from the bank confirming it was closed would be required. The case activity was within the reinstatement period, so if verification is provided the medical coverage can continue. Otherwise, a new application would have to be made.

The Ombudsman contacted the grandson to confirm that he had received the message and understood clearly what needed to be done. The grandson turned in the statement. Agency staff had a telephone conference with the man’s bank and the medical coverage was resumed.

The Ombudsman Column, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens’ Complaints, summarizes selected problems that citizens have had with government services, schools and nursing homes in the Dayton area. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to us at 11 W. Monument Ave., Suite 606, Dayton 45402, call 937-223- 4613, or by electronic mail at ombudsman@dayton-ombudsman.org.

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