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
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 of 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
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 ... Read More
Should Your Children Pay for Your Health Care?
It’s not news that nursing-care is costing an arm and a leg for Americans and a crisis is looming. Costs can run, on average, over $10,000.00 per month in California. Hundreds of thousands of people presently need that kind of care and the numbers are rising. Ten thousand “baby boomers” a day turn 65, and it’s projected that seven of ten of those people will need long-term care. By astute Long-Term Care estate planning, Botti & Morison Estate Planning Attorneys, Ltd., reduces or eliminates the impact of such phenomenal costs on many families’ life savings. But many others who are ... Read More
Things To Watch For Before Signing That Nursing-Home Contract
Suppose you have a loved one that can no longer make decisions for themselves, and they now need nursing-home care. You are stressed and anxious. The nursing home puts a sixty-page, single-spaced contract in front of you. You wish you could flip straight to the last page and sign then and there, just to get it over with. Do not do this. You could be agreeing to pay, out of your own pocket, many thousands of dollars for your mother’s care by unwittingly executing a "personal guarantee". Try to get your mother admitted, and then, before you sign the contract, ... Read More
Common Medi-Cal Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Due to a growing aging population, more Americans are finding themselves or their loved ones in need of nursing home care. Often, nursing home care is absolutely necessary, but this doesn’t make it any less expensive and many find themselves depleting their life savings paying for care they need. However, there are ways to avoid spending your life savings and still getting the care you need. One of those ways is through Medi-Cal, and with proper planning this program can provide much needed relief during a time when all you should be worried about is the care received. Below are ... Read More
