Desert Law Group provides Medi-Cal planning to clients throughout Palm Springs, CA and the surrounding areas. As we age and the medical costs continue to spiral upward, planning for long-term healthcare costs is crucial to any estate plan. It’s not uncommon for nursing home costs to average $10,000 a month in California! That is a cost that many middle-class families cannot bear without planning and preparation. That is where our estate planning attorneys can help. We assist individuals and families in planning for these costs while protecting hard-earned savings.
Our legal team works diligently within the complex rules of Medi-Cal to ensure that our clients who have this need can qualify. A Medi-Cal planning attorney from our law firm can formulate a plan to help you qualify for Medi-Cal without having to spend down your assets and savings accounts. It is important to note that Medi-Cal rules are extremely complex and change annually. Qualifying for Medi-Cal is best accomplished by consulting a qualified legal professional before starting the process on one’s own. Our highly-qualified attorneys can help protect your assets, as it’s one of the most important things to consider as we grow old.
Qualifying for Medi-Cal can be complex, but with the help of Medi-Cal planning attorney from Desert Law Group, it doesn’t have to be. The recipient needs to prove they have limited resources available. Medi-Cal classifies assets as either “exempt” and “non-exempt,” and exempt property is not counted toward determining eligibility. Assets that are non-exempt can count but must meet various resource limits. For example, an applicant can retain up to $2,000 in liquid assets in their cash reserve, and an at-home spouse can retain up to $137,400 (in 2022, remember it changes annually) in liquid assets in their community spouse resource allowance (CSRA).
Planning ahead is the definitely the best way to protect personal assets and grow wealth to accommodate future healthcare costs. There are many ways to accomplish this, from long-term care insurance to annuities, self-insurance, and Medi-Cal, but not every choice is right for every person, which is why we strongly recommend meeting with an estate planning attorney to learn more about your unique situation, explore your various options, and then help you decide on the best course of action for your particular situation.
Medi-Cal has become the most common source of funding to cover nursing home costs in California. Medi-Cal is a joint state and federal Medicaid benefit program, meaning seniors must qualify through a means-tested process to receive benefits. Given the complexity of the Medi-Cal application and approval process, as well as the severity of the penalties involved for making mistakes, it is extremely important to consult with an elder law attorney before applying for Medicaid (other States) or Medi-Cal (California) assistance yourself. In addition, there may be ways to qualify for Medi-Cal and still protect your assets. Qualifications include:
A Medi-Cal crisis planning occurs when an individual must enter a nursing home unexpectedly and has been told that he or she has too many assets to qualify for assistance from Medi-Cal. In many cases, a denial of Medi-Cal coverage is incorrect, and we can help families qualify for coverage by identifying and correcting inaccurate information. The laws governing Medi-Cal eligibility are complicated and ever-changing, but the elder law attorneys at Desert Law Group make it a priority to stay up-to-date on current rules and regulations to help Palm Desert seniors receive the Medicaid coverage they need.
The experts at Desert Law Group are dedicated to helping Palm Springs and Coachella Valley residents with Medi-Cal planning. We have a wide range of resources available to assist our valued clients. Contact us today to learn more about Medi-Cal planning or to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
To learn more about estate plans or discuss your estate planning needs, call Desert Law Group at 760-481-1144 or use the form below to contact us.
