Medi-Cal can assist families with paying the high cost of nursing home care. Although the program helps to keep applicants from draining their savings, making a mistake in the application process can end up costing thousands of dollars in benefit delays, lesser benefit amounts, or complete disqualification from the program.
Understanding Medi-Cal's application criteria can help avoid these delays and complications. With the many rules and regulations, it helps to have a qualified attorney on your side who understands how the Medi-Cal application process works and can provide guidance based on your family's specific situation.
One factor in Medi-Cal eligibility is an applicant's income. The calculation of countable income can be complicated, depending on type of income received, various expenses, and family situation. For example, some "exempt" income may not count in the overall calculation, and the money paid for certain types of medical insurance may be deducted. And, if the applicant's income is over a set limit, he or she may still qualify for Medi-Cal, but will likely also have to pay at least part of their nursing home costs.
The amount of assets and real property owned by a Medi-Cal applicant are also factored into the qualification for benefits. Some assets are considered "exempt", and are not included in the total. Other "countable" assets may be transferred out of the applicant's ownership. There are situations where it makes sense to transfer assets, but the downside to incorrect asset transfers can be detrimental and could cause ineligibility.
If an applicant qualifies for Medi-Cal benefits, when the benefit recipient passes away, the state will likely request back the money that Medi-Cal spent on the nursing home care. This process is known as estate recovery. The care recipient's family is usually forced to reimburse these funds from the sale of their loved one's home.
There are ways to protect the home and assets from Medi-Cal ineligibility and estate recovery. Working with an attorney who specializes in Medi-Cal issues prior to applying can help your loved one obtain the maximum Medi-Cal benefits, while still protecting the assets they have accumulated over their lifetime.
When applying for Medi-Cal in California, talk to a qualified Estate Lawyer who has a solid understanding of the application process and how to best present and prepare your estate to qualify.
Petaluma Estate Attorney Bridget Mackay believes that the the best investment you can make is in your families future.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Mackay
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