In order to qualify for Medi- Cal Long Term Care benefits, you as an applicant must fall below certain income and asset thresholds. However, not all your assets are taken into account when it comes to determining whether you meet the requirements. Countable vs. Non-Countable When you submit an application for Medi-Cal Long Term Care benefits, your assets fall into two categories: countable and non-countable. Only your countable assets are part of the equation for determining whether … [Read more...] about Medi-Cal Planning Tips
Medi-Cal Long Term Care
Veterans Benefits: A Primer – Part 7 of 7
In this final installment, we will focus on additional VA benefits planning strategies. One effective strategy is commonly referred to as "spend down", which simply means to use otherwise countable liquid assets to purchase needed items such as vehicles, medical equipment, etc. The treatment of tax-deferred accounts poses special problems. While the annuitization approach may work in certain circumstances, in others, it may be better to liquidate the account and include it in a spend down … [Read more...] about Veterans Benefits: A Primer – Part 7 of 7
Veterans Benefit: A Primer – Part 6 of 7
As noted in the previous Part, many person who initially contact our office relating to VA benefit eligibility do not immediately qualify for them. In most cases it is because they have too many assets that the VA would count in ascertaining their availability. However, despite the recent restrictions imposed by the VA on eligibility standards, there are effective and legal strategies that can be employed to reduce one's net worth for VA eligibility purposes. One note of caution: There … [Read more...] about Veterans Benefit: A Primer – Part 6 of 7
Veterans Benefits: A Primer – Part 3 of 7
To be eligible for the VA "Pension", a veteran applicant must satisfy three basic tests: 1. Wartime Service; 2. A Disability; and 3. Limited Assets and Income. We will explore each of these requirements in the next few Parts. A surviving spouse of a veteran must also meet a fourth test, the "Marriage" test. He or she must have been married to a veteran of the opposite gender at the time of the veteran's death, been married for more than one year and have not remarried. Unfortunately, this … [Read more...] about Veterans Benefits: A Primer – Part 3 of 7
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...] about Qualifying for Medi-Cal
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...] about Deciding if Some You Love Needs a Care Facility
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...] about What is a POLST and Do I Need One?
Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
Paying for long term care is a scary thing for most families. In California, the annual costs of a semi-private room (one roommate) is over $100,000 and a private room is even more. Double these numbers if spouses or partners need care at the same time and there are additional expenses as well. How to Pay for Long Term Care Private Pay Long Term Care Insurance Veterans Benefits Medicare Medi-Cal Private Pay Some folks can self insure because they can afford to private … [Read more...] about Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
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 … [Read more...] about There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care
Deciphering Medicare Benefits vs Medi-Cal Benefits
Many folks continue to be confused about the differences between Medi-Cal and Medicare. Both Medicare and Medi-Cal, which is California’s name for the Medi-Cal program, have their originals in federal law. They were originally enacted in 1965 under President Johnson’s Great Society programs. Both programs have evolved over the years. Medicare was focused on providing health care for the elderly while Medi-Cal was focused on providing health care for the poor. California’s Medi-Cal … [Read more...] about Deciphering Medicare Benefits vs Medi-Cal Benefits
