This information is meant to give you a quick overview of the process for qualifying for this program. The Medi-CAL Long Term Care Program is a public benefits program that many seniors or persons in need can access to help pay for the steep costs of skilled nursing long-term care.
Do not take no for an answer, there are many ways to qualify for this government program. Our Medi-CAL Planning Attorneys want you to truly understand the Medi-CAL qualifications process and how this program can help your family while legally protecting all of the assets you are legally entitled to protect. By knowing your options, you can protect your family assets and be qualified for Medi-CAL benefits. As in all the issues surrounding long-term, chronic illnesses, it is critical to make informed decisions when a loved one enters a nursing home.
We are proud to be a part of the complete solution to your family’s crisis, not just the lawyers that create the legal documents. We understand the issues surrounding the care of aging loved ones and what it takes legally to meet your needs and goals, while giving your family the peace of mind that your loved ones are getting the best care possible in a complex and confusing situation.
Please contact our office for a free initial consultation with Joseph McHugh, a California Elder Law Attorney. Or you may wish to call our office or check our web site for the date of our next free public class or workshop to learn more about elder law and the legal ways you can stay in control of your assets and your life! (877) 537-8283.
It is sad but true, but most middle-class Americans spend more money on their long-term care costs than they are legally obligated to spend. It is important for you to ask for help from an experienced Elder Law Lawyer that has successfully dealt with Medi-CAL system and know all of the complicated procedures and about the applicable rules and regulations that govern this public benefits program. You need the knowledge of how to qualify for Medi-CAL benefits as you try to figure out how to pay for quality long-term care.
Simplified Explanation of Medicare
& Medi-CAL Paying for Medical Care
First, Medicare is a federal program that will only cover nursing home acute (“crisis”) medical care if you came to a nursing home directly from a hospital and require skilled nursing, physician or rehabilitation services every day. Medicare will pay the full cost for acute medical care after a hospital stay, but for only the first 20 days… after this there is a daily deductible rate (estimated at $133 per day) that will kick-in after this and this will only last for 80 more days (and only if they feel the patient is improving). Some Medicare supplement insurance policies will pay the deductible and this adds up quickly. Medicare does not pay for treatment of all diseases or illnesses and has a limited time of 100 days and many other rules to limit nursing home patient’s payments. After the Medicare stops payments, a patient must have a Long Term Care Insurance policy or begin to pay with personal funds or savings.
“Relying on Medicare for long term care
is not your best option.”
Second, Medi-CAL is a government funded program (combination of Federal & California State) developed to help pay for medical care for public assistance recipients and other low-income persons. Often the Medi-CAL program is a confused with the Medicare Program. Medi-CAL will pay most (if not all) of the high cost of nursing homes once you are qualified. Because it is a need-based program, Medi-CAL recipients must pass certain eligibility requirements. Rules are extremely complicated and precise with timing, which can be confusing to family members with a loved one entering a nursing home. The Medi-CAL Program can help you pay for the monthly nursing home costs, which averages $5,000 to $6,000 per month. Careful pre-planning before applying for Medi-CAL is recommended. You do not want to send in an application until you are certain you will not be denied. To ensure you get on this program, it generally requires proper estate planning from an Elder Law Attorney to help you through the qualification process for this program.
In order to qualify for the Medi-CAL Program, you must show that you have limited resources and assets available to you. In the qualifying process, Medi-CAL classifies property owned by an applicant as ‘exempt’ or ‘non-exempt’. Owning too much Non-Exempt Assets will disqualify your eligibility. Owning Exempt Assets will not negatively affect eligibility. The Medi-CAL planning process requires reallocating your assets so they will legally qualify as Exempt Assets for the purpose of Medi-CAL approval. In addition to a thorough asset examination, eligibility is also based on income. You may only earn a limited amount of income to qualify for Medi-CAL.
With the help of an experienced California Elder Law Attorney, you can properly distribute your assets so that they qualify as exempt for Medi-CAL purposes. In addition to the Asset Evaluation, you can not exceed the income limitations for the Medi-CAL program. The LA LAW Center Medi-CAL Planning Lawyers can assist you in getting help with the soaring costs of nursing home care.
If you or a loved one needs help because of their health crisis situation, the LA LAW Center is ready to help you find the best solutions possible. With the help of our experienced California Elder Law Attorneys, you can properly distribute your assets so that they qualify as exempt for Medi-CAL purposes. In addition to the Asset Evaluation, you can not exceed the income limitations for the Medi-CAL program. The LA LAW Center’s Elder Law Attorneys and staff can assist you in getting help with the soaring costs of nursing home care. Timing with regard to Medi-CAL eligibility and estate recovery is essential when you are racing the clock to speed up the eligibility process and to also protect your family assets. Call to speak to one of our Medi-CAL Planning Lawyers today to see if we can help you stop draining your life time savings and other family assets. (877) 537-8283.
The most important thing to remember is that a surprising number of people could qualify for Medi-CAL if they would only do some legal Medi-CAL pre-planning in their estate. Also realize that dealing with government bureaucracy is difficult at best, so our Elder Law Attorneys are always happy to offer you a FREE initial consultation to review your current or upcoming situation. There are legal ways to qualify for Medi-CAL!
After a thorough review of the best strategies for your family situation and our fees for the scope of work, we will structure a comprehensive Medi-CAL qualification plan created specifically to give you (or your loved one), while protecting your family assets and allowing you to stay in control of your life and your money. We will guide you step by step through the process and as your authorized representative deal directly with the Medi-CAL agents that will review your applications and financial documents.
Our Law Firm is centrally located in Southern California; however, our Elder Law Lawyers serve many clients throughout the state and love an occasional road trip to help our clients, their family and friends.
We are very proud of the many personal and professional referrals we receive from happy clients and colleagues. Please contact our office today to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.
Take advantage of a free phone consultation or appointment for a free 30 minute consultation to review your individual situation and determine if you would benefit from our experience and legal services. Call us at:
Local Phone: (818) 241-4238 or
Toll Free Phone: (877) 537-8283 |
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