Rights of someone in a nursing home?

Hello! My grandmother is in a nursing home in New York state right now. Because she is receiving is not very adequate, she has been asking if she can see one of her old neurologists. She's worried about her symptoms and doesn't seem to be getting listened to. This neurologist has online appointments that could be set up for her, but I don't know how her being in a nursing home affects the insurance payout or if she's even allowed to do it. The nursing home hasn't been very transparent about what insurance plans she has open, but to our knowledge, she has plain Medicare and plain medicaid.

I am afraid to contact her nursing home in case they retaliate, because they only want her to use their associated hospital. Her daughter, my mother, is homeless right now and can't afford to pay a copay if the insurance doesn't pay.

I guess I need to start with, how do I know if the insurance will pay for an outside source appointment? Is it common for nursing home patients to be prevented from seeking out second opinions?

If, ultimately, it is not possible for her to see this neurologist while in the nursing home, how would I get her records so I could discuss her healthcare with the nursing home myself?

Thank you for your advice!

submitted by /u/upsidejoy
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