If your estate plan does not include a Medi-Cal planning component, it probably should. Like many people, you may have never before needed to turn to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) for help with your healthcare expenses – but that could change when you are older. Because you may eventually need to rely on Medicaid, let's see what you need to know about Medi-Cal You May Need Medi-Cal Even If You Are Covered under Medicare. At age 65, you will likely be automatically enrolled in Medicare. … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know about Medi-Cal
Like many seniors, you may find yourself faced with the need to qualify for Medicaid for the first time in your life. Having never before needed to rely on Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program), you may know very little about the program. To get you started,we will explains what you need to know about Medicaid. Long-Term Care Costs Prompt the Need to Qualify for Medicaid. You are not alone! As of 2020, the average cost of a year in long-term care (LTC) in California is over $112,000. … [Read more...]
Can’t I Just Transfer My Assets to My Adult Child to Qualify for Medi-Cal?
You may have heard that many seniors turn to Medi-Cal for help covering their health care expenses. You may also know about the asset limit used to determine eligibility for Medi-Cal. If you believe that your assets exceed the limit, you may be wondering why you can’t simply transfer those assets to an adult child. In this article, we will explain why transferring assets can cause Medi-Cal to impose a waiting period. Will You Need to Qualify for Medi-Cal? If you have never before needed to … [Read more...]
Caring For a Distant Elder Family Member
In today’s society, family members are often scattered throughout the country and even abroad. This phenomenon can cause much stress and worry when an elder family member who is not nearby now needs additional assistance in managing his or her affairs. The first step to long-distance caregiving is to understand your loved one's situation and needs. Schedule a visit with your relative or friend spanning several days to observe how they make decisions, solve problems and complete daily tasks, … [Read more...]
Qualifying for Medi-Cal
If you are concerned about the future of an elderly loved one, you are not alone. As we watch our elderly loved ones age, we can’t help but be concerned about the care they will need and how to finance it. Health care in America is among the most costly in the world, with costs continuing to rise. As a result, the average American is unable to pay for a lengthy stay in a long-term care facility or for the costs of a serious, long-term illness. While we all hope that our elderly loved ones are … [Read more...]
Can Medi-Cal Take Your IRA?
Employer sponsored pension plans are all but a thing of the past. In addition, Social Security retirement benefits have not kept up with the cost of living. Consequently, many people now fund their own retirement through the use of tools such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). If you are one of those people, and you are now faced with the need to qualify for Medi-Cal to help pay for the high cost of long-term care, you may be wondering if your IRA is at risk. To help you plan ahead, we … [Read more...]
Deciding if Some You Love Needs a Care Facility
It can be heart wrenching to decide if a family member or friend you love can no longer safely live in their own home. It can be scary for that loved one to think about his or her care needs and possible new living environments. If you have concerns about a loved one , consider the following questions when determining care needs. If you need help, consult with an experienced and qualified estate and elder care attorney. Does your loved one have medical needs that require special … [Read more...]
What is a POLST and Do I Need One?
In every estate plan we prepare in our office, we include an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) and a form that authorizes disclosure of medical information to designated individuals you have appointed to positions in your estate plan. This latter form is done to comply with the so-called HIPAA law. An advance health care directive is a legal document you use to provide guidance about what types of treatments you may want to receive in case of a future, unknown medical emergency. It also … [Read more...]
What Is the Community Spouse Resource Allowance?
Despite the fact that you likely want to remain in your own home, the reality is that there may come a time when you need the type of care that can only be provided by a long-term care facility. If that time comes, you may need to turn to Medi-Cal for help paying your long-term care (LTC) bill. One of your concerns about turning to Medi-Cal for help may be the perceived impact relying on Medi-Cal will have on your spouse who plans to remain in the community. To alleviate those concerns, we will … [Read more...]
Learn More about Medi-Cal Planning during Older Americans Month
If you are a senior yourself, or will be in the near future, the month of May should hold particular significance for you. Each May we celebrate Older Americans Month in the United States. This year, if you do not already have a Medi-Cal planning component in your estate plan, Older Americans Month is an excellent time to learn more about the benefits of Medi-Cal planning. The Historic Increase in the Older American Population Over the last several decades, the population of older Americans … [Read more...]
