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...]
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...]
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 They were originally enacted in 1965 under President Johnson’s Great Society programs.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...]
Should I Pay a Lawyer for Medi-Cal Planning?
Elder law attorneys vary in what they charge for Medi-Cal planning; a common fee is equivalent to the average cost of one month in a nursing home. However, it will typically vary depending on the complexity of the needed planning. Why should you pay thousands of dollars for Medi-Cal planning? The answer is simple: To save what you have. If you don’t bother with nursing home planning and you need care, you will continue to pay with your private funds until they run out. Once you’re broke, … [Read more...]
A Primer on Medi-Cal Long Term Care Planning (Part 1 of 2)
If you are concerned about long term care costs, you are not alone. According to the study Aging in Place in America, more people over the age of 65 are afraid of moving into a nursing home than are afraid of death. One of the problems with our fears is that so many of us choose to ignore them. Ignoring the possible need for nursing home care means that you miss out on the valuable chance to plan ahead. Not only does planning ahead let you shape what your nursing home experience might look … [Read more...]
Medi-Cal and Nursing Home Care
Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facility, are typically quite expensive for families. Unfortunately, most private health insurance policies do not cover services at nursing homes. To make matters worse, Medicare coverage for nursing home care is very restricted. Most people do not have insurance policies that include coverage for private long-term care. The most common financial resources for California residents in need of long-term or nursing home care is … [Read more...]
Overview of How to Pay for Long Term Care (Part 1 of 2)
As we age, many of us become increasingly concerned about the possible need for long term care and the options available to pay for it. In this article, we will examine those options. There are 5 basic ways to pay for long term care: 1. Private Pay 2. Long Term Care Insurance 3. Medicare 4. Medi-Cal 5. Veterans Benefits Not all of these methods will be available to all persons. For example, veterans benefits are limited to only certain veterans. Long term care … [Read more...]
The Value of Irrevocable Trusts
On the surface, an irrevocable trust speaks for itself: it is a trust that you cannot revoke or dissolve after it has been created. For the most part, this is true, and you may not feel very comfortable about the prospect of surrendering control over your assets. At the same time, irrevocable trusts can be used to satisfy some important estate planning objectives. For example, there is the matter of taxation. There is a federal estate tax that can be a source of asset erosion for people … [Read more...]
Medi-Cal Long Term Care Primer- Part 4 of 4
An important, but frequently overlooked, aspect in Medi-Cal long term care (LTC) benefit planning is Medi-Cal Estate Recovery. The Medi-Cal laws requre that the state pursue recovery from a Medi-Cal LTC beneficiary's estate following death for the benefits obtained during his or her lifetime. These benefits have often been accruing at thousands of dollars a month. In cases of extended periods of care, recovery claims can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. In situations involving a … [Read more...]
Medi-Cal Long Term Care Primer – Part 3 of 4
The second planning consideration for Medi-Cal Long Term Care Benefits (LTC) is called share of cost. Once Medi-Cal LTC eligibility is established (See Part II), attention turns to share of cost. It is the co-pay requirement of Medi-Cal LTC. Typically, a Medi-Cal LTC beneficiary must contribute their monthly income towards the cost of his or her care. This usually includes Social Security, pensions, investment and rental income, among others. Certain deductions are allowed, e.g., health … [Read more...]
