Dramatic Changes Coming to Medi-Cal in 2026
Your Wake-Up Call — Act Now While There’s Still Time If you or someone you love needs long-term care, this may be your moment to act. Beginning January 1st, 2026, California’s Medi-Cal program will dramatically tighten eligibility rules, reinstating both the Asset Assessment and the Lookback Rule. These changes could cost families their benefits — or their savings — if they fail to prepare in time. Our updated free eBook, Understanding Long-Term Care Medi-Cal Planning, explains exactly what’s changing, what these new rules mean for you, and how to protect yourself before it’s too late. Download your copy now. ... Read More
Big Changes Ahead: Medi-Cal Asset Limits Return in 2026
California’s Governor and Legislature recently approved a budget agreement that will significantly change Medi-Cal eligibility for older adults and people with disabilities. Effective January 1, 2026, the asset test for most Medi-Cal programs will be reinstated—rolling back the elimination of asset limits that began in 2024 due to budget constraints. This change means individuals and families applying for or renewing Medi-Cal for long-term care services will once again need to carefully account for what they own. What Are the New Asset Limits? Beginning January 1, 2026: $130,000 for an individual $195,000 for a couple + $65,000 for each additional ... Read More
The Risk for Dementia Increases by Living Alone
Nearly all older adults prefer to age in the comfort of their long-time homes and familiar community surroundings. Aging in place often means living alone. Pew Research findings show that older people are more likely to live alone in the United States than in any other country worldwide. This preference for living solo, however, comes with hidden danger. Research from Science Times reports that living alone in your fifties and sixties increases the likelihood of dementia by thirty percent. The conclusion drawn is based on a report from sciencedirect.com, a website replete with large databases of scientific, academic, and medical ... Read More
The Growing Challenge of Aging at Home: Financial and Emotional Strain on Families
Many Americans hope to grow old in the comfort of their own homes. However, this aspiration is increasingly challenging as in-home care's financial and emotional costs continue to climb. Across the U.S., families are spending as much as $240,000 annually for round-the-clock care for loved ones with conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia. For others, the financial burden has pushed them to exhaust savings or tap into home-equity loans just to afford basic home healthcare services. Sometimes, family members leave jobs, close businesses, or delay retirement to care for aging parents or spouses. The costs of in-home care are escalating at ... Read More
Medi-Cal Eliminates the Asset Test in 2024 for Long-Term Care Medi-Cal: A Game-Changer for Californians
As of January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal no longer factors in assets such as bank accounts, cash, second vehicles, and homes when determining eligibility. This monumental shift holds particularly promising news for those in the Long-Term Care Medi-Cal program, especially those residing in skilled nursing facilities. The old myth that “you could only have $2,000.00 in your name” has now been relegated to history. Embracing a New Era of Accessible Health Care Gone are the days when individuals had to navigate the complex landscape of asset tests and “spend down”, potentially denying them the health care coverage they desperately needed. The ... Read More
The Rising Tide of Caregiving Costs: Navigating the High Price of Longevity
In an era where medical advances and improved living conditions have led to longer lifespans, the aging population faces a new challenge – soaring caregiving costs. The emotional, physical, and financial toll of caring for elderly loved ones has become a significant concern for many families. As the demand for long-term care continues to grow, families are grappling with the daunting reality of expenses that can easily surpass the million-dollar mark. In this blog post, we will explore the rising tide of caregiving costs and shed light on the challenges faced by families when taking care of their aging relatives. ... Read More
Medi-Cal Eligibility & Nursing Home Care
You might want to think again if you believed Medi-Cal planning meant only meeting strict income and asset limits to qualify for long-term care. Medi-Cal eligibility can be challenging because the criteria are not always clear. You will also need to demonstrate you need the level of care typically provided in a nursing home setting. Health eligibility rules are valid if you apply for nursing home coverage or a Medi-Cal waiver program for coverage in your home or assisted living facility. California has a level of care requirement and criteria to determine if you meet the mandated level of care. ... Read More
Medi-Cal Eligibility & Nursing Home Care
You might want to think again if you believed Medi-Cal planning meant only meeting strict income and asset limits to qualify for long-term care. Medi-Cal eligibility can be challenging because the criteria are not always clear. You will also need to demonstrate you need the level of care typically provided in a nursing home setting. Health eligibility rules are valid if you apply for nursing home coverage or a Medi-Cal waiver program for coverage in your home or assisted living facility. California has a level of care requirement and criteria to determine if you meet the mandated level of care. ... Read More
Penalties for Gifts Under Medicaid
Medicare is a federal and state program that helps low-income seniors with limited assets and income afford healthcare. Many seniors believe their only option to qualify for the program is to “spend down” their assets. While this is true in some cases, proactive Medicaid planning can protect a substantial portion of your assets if done correctly. The program’s eligibility rules are complicated, as is the application process, so it is best to navigate the process with a specialized Medicaid planning elder law attorney well before you need to tap the benefits. The general rule is that anyone gifting assets within ... Read More
Health Care Costs Are Out of Control
Much appreciation goes out to the healthcare workers and their support staff for taking care of the ill and vulnerable. At the same time, we should be skeptical of bills we may be presented for that care. The struggle to contain health-care costs in this country is now a fixture in the national policy debate. Our health-care expense does not lead to good results. The United States spends more on health care as a share of the economy – nearly twice as other developed nations – yet has the lowest life expectancy and the highest rates for suicide, chronic disease, ... Read More
The Answer to In-Home Senior Care
Geriatric care is a growing and continuously evolving field. A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a person who treats the health conditions of older adults and often provides home care assistance. They are highly skilled advocates and specialists in senior care. A GCM can look after someone in their 60s or 100s, demanding a hyper-personalized approach to ensure that loved ones are adequately cared for. A GCM can also help by providing options, trade-offs, and costs. An initial assessment by a GCM can help navigate complex funding options or uncover unknown resources for senior care. Geriatric Care Managers can provide ... Read More
What is the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Medicare and Medi-Cal are two different government programs for healthcare. It is important to understand the difference between them. Here, we will discuss how the program benefits differ, how eligibility for each program is established, and discuss some recent news pertaining to each program.Medicare vs. Medi-Cal – What are the program benefits?Medicare is a program administered by the federal government to provide healthcare to certain populations. Original Medicare is divided into Parts A and B.Medicare Part A covers hospital care and a limited period of nursing home care, home health services, and hospice care. Medicare Part A will only cover ... Read More
