You will often hear mention of the Medi-Cal program, which is a joint federal-state program that is ostensibly in place to provide access to health care to those who cannot afford it. In California, this program is called Medi-Cal. It does indeed assist people with little to no financial resources, but it is also the government program that is utilized by many seniors to pay for long-term care because Medicare will not pay for it. This is not just seniors who have been struggling financially … [Read more...] about Medi-Cal: Download Our Report to Get the Facts
Medi-Cal Planning: Will I Lose My Home?
Medi-Cal is the California Medi-Cal program that will pay for a stay in a nursing home or an assisted living community if you can qualify. Because there is a small upper resource limit of $2,000, your first thought may be that there is no way that you can qualify for the program because you are a homeowner who has some savings. In fact, it is possible to qualify for Medi-Cal while keeping assets in the family. The Kaiser Family Foundation tells us that seven out of every 10 individuals who are … [Read more...] about Medi-Cal Planning: Will I Lose My Home?
With Intelligent Planning, Medi-Cal Can Provide Solution
If you knew that you had an enormous expense that was awaiting you during your latter years, you would take it seriously and plan ahead. Yet, a very significant percentage of people will face just such an expense, and many of them do nothing to get ready for it. The expense that we are referring to is the bill that you will be presented with if you require a stay in a nursing home. You may think that it is unlikely that you will ever need such care, but in fact most senior citizens will need … [Read more...] about With Intelligent Planning, Medi-Cal Can Provide Solution
Can the Government Go After Assets in a Trust to Recover Medicare or Medi-Cal Benefits?
I was recently asked the above question and wanted to share the answer on my blog. First, we need some clarification. Many people receive MEDICARE, but a person’s assets and income are irrelevant for qualifying for MEDICARE. And there is no recovery for benefits received through the MEDICARE system. So if your parent(s) are only receiving MEDICARE, there are no issues or concerns. On the other hand, MEDI-CAL is a means based program. The applicant’s financial means are examined in order to … [Read more...] about Can the Government Go After Assets in a Trust to Recover Medicare or Medi-Cal Benefits?
Life Care Planning – What is It and Who Needs it?
Life Care Planning is a Family Affair. Whether your loved one is a parent, spouse or special needs loved one . . . whether you live with your loved one, in the next town or across the country . . . dealing with an elderly or disabled loved one can cause countless sleepless nights. The experienced, supportive and knowledgeable attorney, geriatric care manager and support staff at the Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law realize that most people are caught up in today’s hectic … [Read more...] about Life Care Planning – What is It and Who Needs it?
Difficult Medi-Cal Planning Situation Involving Inheritance Resolved
A family came to me with a difficult Medi-Cal planning situation. Their mother had recently been advised that the mother’s aunt had died and she was about to inherit around $600,000. Normally that would not be a bad thing, however, in this case, it would be a good thing with potentially negative economic consequences. It seems the mother was gravely ill, even though reasonably young. But due to her medical condition, she was confined to the sub-acute care unit of a skilled nursing home and the … [Read more...] about Difficult Medi-Cal Planning Situation Involving Inheritance Resolved
What is the Medi-Cal “look-back rule”?
Since an individual applying for Medi-Cal can’t qualify for Medi-Cal to pay for skilled nursing home care if they own non-exempt assets exceeding $2,000, many persons are tempted to simply “gift away” the excess. The “look back rule” provides that if a person makes gifts of assets within a certain period of time prior to applying for Medi-Cal and hopes thereby to qualify for Medi-Cal, they are denied Medi-Cal for some period of time based upon a mathematical formula. The period of the look back … [Read more...] about What is the Medi-Cal “look-back rule”?
Health Care Reform and Medi-Cal
The recent health care legislation includes several provisions which are intended to amend the Medi-Cal law. As you know, Medi-Cal is the federal law which enables each state to pass its own version of public assistance and to fund the resulting programs. The federal government made amendments to the Medi-Cal law in 1993 (OBRA) and 2006 (DRA) which of course included requirements to compel each state to conform. Notwithstanding, California has done little to implement either the 1993 or 2006 … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform and Medi-Cal
What Costs Will Medi-Cal Pay?
For those who qualify, Medi-Cal will pay for the cost of skilled nursing home care (a facility that has a licensed doctor or licensed registered nurse on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Medi-Cal will also pay for some limited in home services (services to help the person be able to stay in their home). Medi-Cal will not pay for adult day care, independent living or assisted living. Medicare will pay all costs associated with hospice care. … [Read more...] about What Costs Will Medi-Cal Pay?
