Oxnard Medi-Cal Planning Attorney
Helping Clients Qualify for Important Public Benefits in Ventura County
Medi-Cal benefits for senior citizens can help the most vulnerable members
of our society afford important non-medical long-term care services. If
you or a beloved senior in your life needs long-term care but doesn’t
have the income or assets to afford that care out of pocket, we can help
you get qualified for Medi-Cal to help pay for that expensive in-home
or skilled nursing facility care.
We at Kaiden Elder Law Group, PC can provide the assistance you need to
manage your assets and qualify for Medi-Cal benefits. Our attorneys understand
the complicated bureaucracy which stands between important long-term care
public benefits and the senior citizens who need them most. If you want
to learn more about how we may be able to help you or your loved one qualify
for benefits to afford in-home care or skilled nursing facility care,
don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
Contact our Medi-Cal Planning attorney in Oxnard & Ventura County online
or by calling
(661) 306-2500 now!
What Is Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is a program jointly run by the federal government and the state
of California. The purpose of Medi-Cal is to provide financial assistance
to low-income individuals who need help paying for medical, dental, and
long term care services. With regard to senior citizens, non-medical long
term care public benefits literally can make the difference between seniors
becoming impoverished versus living the way they want to live and not
in a way they are forced to live.
The average
monthly cost of skilled nursing facility care in California now exceeds $10,000/month,
and if acute care is needed the cost can easily exceed $30,000/month!
That's why for most, qualifying for Medi-Cal benefits is not a luxury
but instead a necessity.
Without a doubt, this area of law is confusing. You should know that Medi-Cal
is not the same as Medicare. Medicare is a federal entitlement program
that helps senior citizens and disabled persons pay for medical care.
Medi-Cal for seniors is better thought of as a program that helps pay
for (non-medical) assistance with daily living or long-term care, whether
in a facility or in their own homes.
How Do I Qualify for Medi-Cal?
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion about what it takes to
qualify for Medi-Cal which causes a lot of frustration. Qualifying for
Medi-Cal might be easier than you’ve been led to believe, so consider
speaking with a Medi-Cal planning lawyer in Oxnard about your specific
circumstances and your qualification requirements.
We find that much of the confusion regarding Medi-Cal qualification comes
from the $2,000 limit on non-exempt assets. This requirement has led many
to erroneously assume that they have to give up their vehicle, primary
home, and household goods (all of which are exempt) to qualify for Medi-Cal
Coverage. The exceptions really eclipse the rules themselves so please
do not make any assumptions about what's available to you. Instead, make
sure you speak to an elder law attorney who is an expert in public benefits.
In other words, due to these exempt assets, one could have a high net worth
and still qualify for Medi-Cal benefits.
Does Medi-Cal Have a ‘Look-Back’ Period?
Yes, and this is another feature of the program that has generated unnecessary
confusion. When someone applies for Medi-Cal, their bank account records
going back a certain period of time are reviewed.
This is known as the “look-back period,” and its purpose is
to uncover any uncompensated gifts that were made to decrease someone’s
countable assets to meet the level needed for Medi-Cal qualification (less
than $2,000 for a single individual). If non-exempt asset transfers are
found within the look-back period, a penalty period is assessed for the
value of excess assets one possessed within the look-back period.
In other states, the look-back period is five years,
but it’s only 30 months or 2.5 years in California. This means that along with qualified exemptions that won’t count
against you, planning to qualify for Medi-Cal is simpler than most senior
citizens believe.
Again, there are other exceptions that may apply, so the best course of
action is to speak with a qualified professional who can help!
Call Kaiden Elder Law Group, PC Today!
If you need a Medi-Cal planning attorney near Oxnard who can help you or
a senior in your life, consider reaching out to Kaiden Elder Law Group,
PC. Our team offers many years of experience when it comes to dealing
with sophisticated and complex elder law issues seniors face when they
seek Medi-Cal as well as other public benefits.
For more information about how we can help you, call us today at (661) 306-2500
or contact us online to
schedule a consultation!
