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I'm moving to Bolivar, OH and he's going to have new insurance (Medicare) but he's a disabled Veteran that had an honorable discharge. He's 80 and needs help when we get to the new place. Where can I look for transport assistance? I'm going to rent a mini van, but if there is help available to transport him that'd be great. I'm currently in Johnstown, OH. The VA should pick up the bill or his insurance.

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Medicare is a health insurance. They don't pay to transport from one place to another. No isurance does, its out of pocket cost. Has Dad signed up with the VA to handle the 20% Medicare does not pay for doctors or hospitals? Dad will need to pay for his own prescriptions if he doesn't have a plan. When you go on Medicare at 65, you get A&B and you pay a premium usually out of your Social Security if you are collecting, otherwise you pay. Medicare only covers what they consider reasonable and only 80%. People usually pay for a supplimental that will cover the 20% and prescriptions. He will need dental and vision too.

I know men who use the VA for their supplimental. They use their hospitals and doctors. But Dad has to sign up with them. Its not automatic because he is a Vet. Medicare will go from State to State but not so with supplimental insurance. Not sure about the VA.

Your County should have an Office of Aging and a VA office. You really should talk to someone at both places about what you want to do. They can tell you what resources there are for Dad.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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SamTheManager 32 min ago
For some plans with Medicare Advantage, they will pay for transport to doctors and other medical appointments. It's not all of them so the person will need to check, although I don't know the ins and outs of the VA paying 20% of what Medicare doesn't pick up. I don't know if that is true with Medicare Advantage or if it's just regular Medicare, but I'm glad you told them to look into that. If they can use the VA as a supplement but they have to apply for it, that's really important for them to know.

In my area, the county had a van that would pick up seniors and disabled people who qualified for the service. They could pick up people in wheelchairs and would put the person in the chair on the van or bus and lock them down. One person could travel with them, although if they needed two people they would work with you on that. You had to schedule this service a day or two in advance but it was very useful. This van could go to medical appointments but it was also allowed to take people to other places like the store or even to visit friends and family. There were rules about how long you had to wait to have them pick you back up. OP should absolutely look into these things.

Area Agency on Aging is a good place to start, along with the VA itself, I heartily second your suggestions. Lots of people don't know you can go to the office of the VA and a person will help you find services and fill out all the paperwork with you. They were so helpful to me with my mom who qualified for some services based on my dad's service record. It wasn't much but it was definitely helpful.
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"The VA should pick up the bill or his insurance.'

Don't make any assumptions and make sure you know what will and won't be covered before you order the services.

There's all sorts of help if you pay for it. You can visit Care.com to privately hire individuals (but be aware this may make you a literal employer depending on your state's rules) or search for caregiving agencies near your new zip code.

There are medical transportation companies as well.

Will he be residing at the VA? Or somewhere else?

Contact the local Area Agency on Aging for resources and info.

Call 2-1-1 for info.

Contact social services for his new county for further information about what services he may qualify for, like transportation services and in-home care.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Andrew this is a caregiver forum not a caregiver agency. If you need help you can click on the find care tab up top of your post here, otherwise I would recommend calling the VA to see what assistance they may have for your dad.
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