How Do I Qualify for Medi-CAL Long Term Care

medi-cal-itc-qualificationsLegally Qualifying for Medi-CAL to Pay for Nursing Homes is Our Passion & Our Business!

Joseph McHugh, Medi-CAL Attorney and his wife, Kathy McHugh (Triage Director & Medi-CAL Expert) can help you understand the new laws in California.

Qualifying for California Medi-Cal…Asset Limits are Changing!

Effective January of 2024 California will have a NO Asset Limit and only an income limitation.
In 2023, the countable monthly income must be at or below $1,677 (for an individual) or $2,267 (for a married couple)…Countable monthly income is determined by taking your gross monthly and deducting health insurance premiums. If you have a higher income, you may qualify with a “share of cost” (deductible).

NOTE: Asset limits for SSI still remain at:

  • Single: $2,000;
  • Couple: $3,000
  • To keep SSI Benefits when expecting an inheritance or a lawsuit settlement, we can help with a Special Needs Trust (if you are under 65 years old) and have this money go directly into this trust.

Surprise! Medicare Does Not Pay For Long Term Care

Nursing Home Care in California and especially in the Los Angeles area is very expensive, averaging over $11,000 per month for custodial care and sub-acute care that deals with ventilators and feeding tubes, etc., averages $30,000 a month.

Most Medicare plans pays only for an acute medical condition in the hospital 100% for 20 days and then MAYBE up to another 80 days ($167 a day, but generally Medicare will try to stop paying before the 100 days).

Medicare is not guaranteed Long Term Care coverage. Medicare is for a short term for hospital and rehab time in Skilled Nursing Facilities and only pays up to 100 days.

LA LAW Elder Law Attorney, Joseph McHugh and his Medi-CAL Team can help you qualify for Medi-CAL Long Term Care Benefits that WILL PAY for prolonged Nursing Home stays without you spending your savings on nursing home care.
 

What Is The First Step In Medi-CAL Planning?

When planning for eligibility for Medi-CAL Benefits, LA LAW Medi-CAL Attorney and Team will review your assets and suggest how you can reallocate assets to quickly meet the eligibility requirements.

The following is some of the legal Medi-CAL services we offer to our clients:

  1. Income Planning – How can we reduce or eliminate a Medi-CAL beneficiary’s monthly co-payment (“Share of Cost”).
  2. Medi-CAL Estate Recovery Planning – How can we reduce or eliminate Medi-CAL Estate Recovery against the beneficiary’s Estate (generally recovered in the way of a lien on the beneficiary’s home upon their spouse’s death).

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY JOSEPH MCHUGH

“The Costs of Elder Care: The Race Against Time!”

As a Los Angeles Elder Law Attorney, Joseph McHugh and his staff can suggest for qualifying for Medi-CAL and Joe explains that middle class families with modest assets CAN qualify by reallocating their assets.

After a thorough review of the best strategies for your family situation and our fees for the scope of work, we will structure a comprehensive estate plan created specifically to give you (or your loved one) the best long-term care possible, while protecting your family assets and allowing you to stay in control of your life and your money.

 

 

 
Our Law Firm is centrally located in Burbank (Southern California); however, our Elder Law Lawyer, Joe McHugh and his wife Kathy McHugh, serve many clients throughout the state and can help via phone, email and FedEx and mobile notaries needing their specialized services. We are very proud of the many personal and professional referrals we receive from happy clients and colleagues.
 
Call for consultation: (818) 241-4238. Or you can submit this form to request a consultation.