I live in another state and I’m traveling back and forth to deal with anything and everything to do with my mom’s care. Can I get reimbursed for travel expenses and take it out of her bank account? I’m her MPOA/POA and not all can be done on the phone. She is going into hospice and they’ve asked for 3 months of bank statements. If they see I’ve taken money out for travel expenses, will it be a problem. Thank you!
I guess Mom is going into a NH with Medicaid paying? Because Hospice is paid by Medicare and they do not ask for financial statements. Is she going into a Hospice facility?
Once Medicaid is involved you cannot use her money, only on her.
And if it's Medicaid that you're applying for for your mom, they look back more like 5 years and not just a few months.
But as far as you getting reimbursed, just make sure that you're keeping very strict financial records if you decide to go that route, so there won't be any questions in the future.
Now as to your reimbursement. I traveled to my brother as his POA/Trustee. But more I traveled to him because he was my brother, and while there (he was Socal and I in No. of the State) I did those tasks we had to do together. They were certainly very FEW requiring my presence. So if you are having her funds pay for all your trips to her, yes, I would imagine in any lookback this could be questioned.
One thing you DO know as a POA is that such questions are paid for when you take them to an elder law attorney. So do that. You POA is written and often will say what payment you can take. And of course any reimbursement MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR on your monthly accounting of every penny into and out of your mother's accounts.
I would see an attorney to get clear what you can receive payment or reimbursement for.