ELDER LAW
Long Term Care Options
While some seniors are able to afford private-pay care, the cost of long-term care will wipe out the savings of all but the wealthiest families in a matter of years. Those who have planned ahead by purchasing long-term care insurance have a degree of certainty and peace of mind, knowing that they have a lesser need to rely on other sources in the future. Unfortunately, many can’t afford the high cost of long-term care insurance, or worse, because of a medical condition, they cannot qualify for long-term care insurance, and even if they could qualify, they simply cannot afford the cost of long-term care insurance. If you do have long-term care insurance, you should be aware of what your policy covers. Many policies have high deductibles or provide for only a short period of care in a facility. In fact, many who have long-term care insurance still have to resort to Medi-Cal to pay for their care.
Medi-Cal Eligibility
The other option to pay for care is Medi-Cal. A joint federal-state program, Medi-Cal provides medical assistance to low-income individuals, including those who are 65 or older, disabled, or blind. The Federal Medicaid program is the single largest payer of nursing home bills in America and serves as the option of last resort for people who have no other way to finance their long-term care.
While Medi-Cal eligibility with respect to long-term care was not difficult in the past, there has been a steady drift towards more complex and restrictive rules, the latest being the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which went into effect in 2006 in many states, fortunately not yet in California. These changes, which could be implemented at any time in California, have resulted in complex eligibility requirements for those in need of Medicaid benefits in other states. It’s no longer as easy as reviewing one’s bank statements. There are a myriad of regulations involving look-back periods, income caps, transfer penalties, and waiting periods to plan around. It is imperative that one plan now in this area in order to take advantage of the more liberal eligibility requirements.
Our law firm has the experience and expertise to help avoid the financial ruin associated with the high cost of long-term care. Contact us today to start the process of understanding the issues surrounding Medi-Cal eligibility and to implement the planning and application processes.
