Do not listen to your neighbors regarding Medi-Cal eligibility! Over the last number of days, we have been told by several individuals who are interested in our services, that their understanding is that they would never qualify for Medi-Cal based upon “advice” they received from their neighbors. In each case, the advice was wrong.
One person told me that she was told that her husband would not qualify for Medi-Cal because his IRAs were too high. I told her that her husband can have any amount of IRAs and still qualify for Medi-Cal. In fact, I told her that she, as the well spouse, can also have any amount of IRAs, and her husband could still qualify for Medi-Cal. In addition, I told her that both her and her husband’s IRAs cannot be collected against by the State for Medi-Cal recoupment.
In another case, an individual told me that she was informed that she could not qualify for Medi-Cal because she owned her own home. This information is also incorrect. All she has to do is express a subjective intent in writing that she intends to return home, even if she is in a nursing home. We prepare that documentation for our clients as part of their estate plan. This intent to return home is also confirmed on the Medi-Cal application. In addition, I told her that as of January 1, 2017, her home cannot be collected against by the State for Medi-Cal recoupment, if her home is in her revocable living trust at the time of her death.
In another case, a person told me that he understood that he could not qualify for Medi-Cal because his and his wife’s income was too high. This advice is also erroneous because of the Medi-Cal rules regarding Share of Cost. The state pays qualified nursing homes $8,189 a month for a Medi-Cal recipient, minus a share of cost from the recipient. The $8,189 is usually much lower than a nursing home would be if you were to private pay. The recipient’s income goes to a share of cost to the nursing home, up to $8,189, minus a few small deductions from the recipient’s income. If the recipient is married, the well spouse can keep all of her income, without penalty. If the well spouse makes under $2,981 per month, the ill spouse’s income is allocated to the well spouse’s income to bring her up to $2,981 per month. As a result, many of our clients end up paying a very small share of cost, and sometimes nothing, to the nursing home.
The moral of the story is, do not listen to your neighbors regarding Medi-Cal eligibility.
This information is not to be taken as legal advice, and you are encouraged to see your elder law attorney. At the Law Offices of Michael J. Young, at 1931 San Miguel Dr., Ste. 220, Walnut Creek, CA www.WalnutCreekElderLaw, 925-256-0298, lawyoung1@gmail.com, we practice Elder Law and we help Baby Boomers, Seniors and families through their Elder Care Journey. We help families with long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts and powers of attorney. We also help the older client and their families get their “Ducks in a Row” in order help them qualify for Medi-Cal and the VA Aid & Attendance Improved Pension benefit.