The Veterans on Medicaid program helps veterans
take advantage of all their available resources.
Welcome to Dayton Ombudsman
The Ombudsman Office investigates complaints about government agencies and services for residents of Montgomery County. We also have a wealth of knowledge about government programs which can assist our neighbors. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program investigates complaints about the care provided in nursing homes, adult care facilities, group homes, and in-home care services. We welcome your questions, inquiries and complaints!
Watch:
The Work of the Ombudsman — Improving the Quality of Care for Veterans
Ombudsman Diane Welborn talks with Lawrence Wilkins, Program Director, on many ways the Ombudsman’s office advocates for veterans and their families.
The Ombudsman Column
"Ombudsmen help ensure veterans are aware of all their options" - November 13, 2025
In recognition of Veterans Day this week, we’d like to take a moment honor the brave men and women who have served our nation with courage and dedication. For many veterans residing in nursing homes or other long term care settings, this day also serves as a reminder of the benefits and support they have earned through their service. One key area where veterans may need assistance is in ensuring that their long-term care costs are covered by the most appropriate funding source. Show More...Many veterans in nursing homes currently rely on Medicaid to pay for their care. However, veterans who are rated 70% or higher service-connected disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for their nursing home care to be covered directly by the VA, rather than Medicaid. Our Ombudsman Office employs a Veteran Ombudsman specialist who helps veterans switch from Medicaid as the payor source to the VA. Switching from Medicaid to the Veterans Health Administration as the payor source can offer several benefits: 1) It may free up Medicaid resources for other individuals in need; 2) It often provides enhanced care coordination and access to veteran-specific services; and, 3) It ensures the veteran is receiving all benefits they have earned through their service.
Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program plays an important role in this process. Ombudsmen advocate for residents’ rights and help ensure veterans and their families are aware of all their care and funding options. In fact, our Veteran Ombudsman specialist recently helped a veteran, receiving Medicaid, who had a 60% service-connected disability rating. The Ombudsman helped the veteran undergo an examination to determine his current disability rating. The new evaluation resulted in the veteran receiving a current disability rating of 100%.
The Ombudsman then assisted the veteran in terminating his Medicaid and switching his payor source to the VA. When the veteran was on Medicaid, he had to give the nursing home all but $50 of his monthly income and benefits. However, now that the veteran’s care at the facility is paid by the VA, the veteran gets to keep all his income and benefits. Now that the veteran gets to keep his income, his family can retain their current home. The veteran was gracious and thankful for this program.
This Veterans Day, the Ombudsman’s Office thanks all veterans for their service and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring they receive the respect, dignity, and benefits they deserve — especially those who have sacrificed their health in service to our country. ...Show Less
"Ombudsman help man with Federal Income Tax Return" - July 3, 2025
A man contacted the Ombudsman Office several months ago to ask for hep with his federal income tax return. The man filed an amended tax return in May 2024 with the help of a staff person at the Taxpayer Assistance Program. Show More...He had received no notification in October of 2024, so he spoke to a supervisor at the Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP), who recommended that he re-submit his return with a few changes. He did as she suggested in October of 2024. In February of this year, he called the TAP and learned that his return was in processing. He called several times thereafter and his calls were not returned. He contacted the Ombudsman with the hope that we could get some clarity about how much longer he would have to wait.
The Ombudsman sent an email to the Taxpayer Advocate Program on the family’s behalf. The man emailed the Ombudsman to report that he had received a letter promising the TAP would be in contact with an update in one month. Within the month, the man contacted the Ombudsman to report that he had received his check. The man expressed his gratitude for our intervention and follow-up on his behalf....Show Less
"Ombudsman helps woman with Medicaid benefits transfer "- May 1, 2025
Recently a woman contacted the Ombudsman requesting assistance with her Medicaid coverage and also with a Section 8 housing choice transfer to another state. The woman became homeless in January and notified her caseworker at the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services that she forwarded her mail to another address when she lost her housing. Show More...The forwarding address she provided is in Indiana. The Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services terminated her Medicaid coverage because if one is homeless in Ohio, one must have a mailing address in Ohio. The woman had already filed for a State Hearing on the termination of benefits, but did not know the outcome because of the mailing address problem. She asked for our assistance in learning the status of her benefits.
The woman understood from the public housing authority (PHA) in the state to which she was trying to move, that they had received the request for a transfer. However, her request for a Disability Accommodation was not included. The PHA informed her that request had to be sent by Greater Dayton Premier Management (GDPM) and not by the person requesting the transfer. The Ombudsman contacted the Department of Job and Family Services and learned that her Medicaid benefits were reinstated. The Ombudsman also contacted Greater Dayton Premier Management (GDPM) and the agency agreed to forward the paperwork for Disability Accommodation. The woman called the Ombudsman to inform us that the paperwork had been received and now both concerns she had brought to our office were resolved. She was grateful for our assistance in helping to resolve these matters....Show Less
"Woman had billing issue with local social service agency" - April 24, 2025
Recently a woman contacted the Ombudsman with a complaint about a local social service agency billing matter for services provided to her parents. The funding for the home health care services is funded through Medicaid, and the services are provided to support her parents to remain in their own home and to not move into an institution. She believes that she has not been billed correctly, because the charges are irregular. Show More...The daughter initially contacted her case manager at the agency, who referred the daughter to the agency’s finance office. She contacted the finance office and was referred back to the case manager. The woman felt that she was getting “the run-around.” After attempting to gain an explanation for her billing questions and having no success, she contacted the Ombudsman for help.
The Ombudsman contacted the agency about the daughter’s billing questions. The staff agreed to examine the woman’s complaint. The Ombudsman followed up with the daughter and learned that she had received a call from the agency staff to report they were looking into the billing and would call her after researching the matter. The Ombudsman followed up with the agency and learned that the agency had, in fact, made billing errors amounting to several hundred dollars, and that a reimbursement was being prepared for the daughter.
The daughter later called to report the reimbursement had been received. She was grateful for Ombudsman intervention and didn’t think the corrections would have been made had we not become involved....Show Less
"Ombudsman assists caller with Social Security question" - April 10, 2025
This week the Ombudsman received a complaint from a man expecting funds from the removal of the Federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The WEP reduced benefits for individuals who receive a pension based on employment that was not subject to Social Security payroll tax. The Social Security Fairness Act went into effect Feb. 25. This means that by Feb. 25, individuals whose Social Security benefits were previously impacted by the provision of WEP will begin to receive retroactive benefit payments. Show More... This impacts many public sector workers. The Social Security Administration reports that over a million people have already received retroactive benefits. Going forward, those individuals will receive their full monthly Social Security benefits.
Our caller reported that many of his relatives and friends have already received repayments, but he has not. He retired from local municipal service, currently is receiving a pension from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), and Social Security benefits after paying into that system for over 20 years.
The Ombudsman contacted the Social Security Administration about the man’s questions. The staff person explained that telephone calls are returned, but in many cases, people do not answer calls from unsolicited numbers. The Social Security office outgoing lines may not be identified on caller ID as SSA or government, which would encourage people to answer the calls. The agency staff attempt several calls a day for several days, and then, due to heavy workload and shrinking staff, must move on.
The national teleservice center for the SSA at 800-772-1213 is the better option for this type of inquiry because they have a much larger telephone system t Our caller was advised to contact the national teleservice center and invited to call back with the outcome. The man received the timeline for receipt of his benefits and was grateful to have received direction that led to a positive outcome to his concerns....Show Less
Recent Comments on our Column Posts
You do such great work for the residents of the Dayton area. Thank you for all you do.
I read your column with interest. You may be aware of the terrible amount of imposter scams. I often hear scam presentations where people are told Medicare and Social Security will not call them. That is not an absolute statement, as you know. But this incident described in your article reminds me of several recent situations where I have heard presenters tell folks at senior centers that.
This older adult from your article did the right thing being suspicious of the calls, especially with the uptick in scams based on current events. But unfortunately this was one of the situations where the SSA will actually call people. I am very glad you were there to step in and help him. Thanks again for the great work you do!
-from a Dayton area resident
THE OMBUDSMAN column, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens’ Complaints, summarizes selected problems that citizens have had with government and social services, utilities, schools and nursing homes in the Dayton area. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to 11 W. Monument Ave., Suite 606, Dayton 45402, or call 937-223-4613, or send email to ombudsman@dayton-ombudsman.org
