There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care

Qualified and experienced elder law attorneys help those, who need long term care, qualify to have the care paid by Medi-Cal benefits.   For both Medi-Cal, you need to financially (and medically) qualify.

Here are 12 ways in which elder law attorneys help people qualify for financial assistance, if they are not immediately eligible.  Consult with a qualified and experienced elder law attorney whose practice includes Medi-Cal long term care benefits to determine which strategies are best for your individual situation.

(1)    Spend down of non-exempt assets on exempt assets

(2)    Investment in unavailable assets

(3)    Planned gifting programs

(4)    Annuity planning

(5)    Income transfers

(6)    Income allocation

(7)    Irrevocable income only trusts

(8)    Asset protection trusts for inheritances or gifts

(9)    Beneficiary designation analysis and planning

(10)   Medical tax planning

(11)   Temporary long term care insurance

(12)  Request to increase asset or income limits, due to special circumstance

Not all of the above strategies will be needed or advisable for all persons.  The specific strategy used must be done in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of the Medi-Cal program.

A common problem we have observed in matters where applicants either tried to do it themselves or were advised by non-lawyer advisors who didn’t know (or possibly didn’t care) that a strategy used in applying for one program would cause problems when benefits under the other program were sought.

For these reasons, in many cases, it is wise to first meet with an experienced, qualified elder law attorney who regularly assists clients with Medi-Cal planning.  By doing so, applicants can maximize their chances of getting a properly coordinated strategy which will assist in applying for Medi-Cal benefits.

The sooner you do long term care planning, the better.  You’ll have more choices and  likely be able to save more assets.  But, even if you or a loved one is already in a nursing home, some of these planning techniques may still be available.

Don’t hesitate.  Consult with a qualified, experienced elder law attorney to determine the right Medi-Cal plan for you to pay for long term care.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Timothy P. Murphy

Timothy P. Murphy is an estate planning and elder law attorney whose practice emphasizes helping people to build, preserve and pass on their wealth. He works with his clients to accomplish their goals while avoiding unnecessary court proceedings and minimizing or eliminating exposure to death taxes.

Latest posts by Timothy P. Murphy (see all)

• Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples: Key Considerations - March 21, 2023
• The Role of Trusts in Estate Planning - March 19, 2023
• The Not-So Transparent Corporate Transparency Act - March 17, 2023