Common Medi-Cal Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on: February 19, 2021

Botti & Morison Estate Planning Attorneys, Ltd.

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 some common mistakes made when planning for Medi-Cal and how to avoid them. This list is not exhaustive and should only be used as a general guide. A Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law who focuses on elder law will be able to examine your circumstances and provide you with a more specific plan.

Failing to start planning early: Let’s face it, when you’re young and healthy, planning for long term care you may not ever need just isn’t something you think about. However, if you do end up needing long term care, not planning early can be an expensive mistake. When you’re healthy, you are likely to get a much better deal on purchasing long term care insurance. Long term care insurance should be taken advantage of before relying on Medi-Cal. If long term care insurance is not an option, then it may be wise to apply for Medi-Cal. To be eligible for Medi-Cal, there is a cap on the amount of assets you can have. However, all assets aren’t “countable” assets and there are planning tools such as using a trust to reduce the amount of countable assets without exhausting them altogether. This should be done  before you need long term care because Medi-Cal has a “look back period” which counts improper asset transfers 30 months prior to the need for care.

Believing it’s too late to plan: Even after a senior has moved into a nursing home, you can still plan to take advantage of Medi-Cal benefits. As mentioned earlier, there are tools to protect your assets while still allowing you to meet the eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal. You do not have to deplete your assets before seeking counsel.

Not taking advantage of safe harbors created by Congress: While asset improper transfers 30 months prior to needing Medi-Cal will be taken into account when determining your eligibility, Congress has mandated exceptions to certain transfers that will not prevent you from being eligible for Medi-Cal. A few of these exemptions are transfers to disabled children, caretaker children, and funds put into a trust for anyone who is disabled and under age 65.

Failing to use the protections provided for the spouse of a nursing home resident: Congress did not intend for the spouse of a nursing home resident who is taking advantage of Medi-Cal to adhere to the same asset and income limits as the resident. While there are still caps on the amount of assets and income the spouse may have, they are generally much higher than allowed for the resident. There are protections known as “spousal impoverishment” laws designed to protect the well spouse from financial devastation.

Medi-Cal is a complicated program with enormous benefits. It can be difficult to navigate, and before beginning your application process, it would be wise to consult with an elder law professional who knows the ins and outs of this process and can make the best decisions on your behalf. If you wish to begin the application process for Medi-Cal or have any questions about what you have read, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Contact us today at 877-585-1885 or schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal matters.

Thanks for reading.

Christopher E. Botti., Esq., Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law

Categories: Medi-Cal Planning

Share This Article!

Plan On It

Newsletter
Sign Up

"*" indicates required fields

Workshops
Botti & Morison Estate Planning Workshop

Free 2-Hour Estate Planning Workshop – 10/16/24 AM Valencia, CA

Wednesday, October 16, 2024
10:00 am
- 12:00 pm

Botti & Morison Estate Planning Workshop

Free 2-Hour Estate Planning Workshop – 10/16/24 PM Valencia, CA

Wednesday, October 16, 2024
7:00 pm
- 9:00 pm

Botti & Morison Estate Planning Workshop

Free 2-Hour Estate Planning Workshop – 10/19/24 Valencia, CA

Saturday, October 19, 2024
10:00 am
- 12:00 pm

Botti & Morison Estate Planning Workshop

Free 2-Hour Estate Planning Workshop – 10/22/24 Valencia, CA

Tuesday, October 22, 2024
7:00 pm
- 9:00 pm