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What is Medi-Cal Planning?

Medi-Cal planning is a strategic approach to protecting your assets while qualifying for Medi-Cal benefits to cover long-term care costs. In California, nursing home care can cost $10,000-$15,000 per month or more. Without proper planning, these costs can rapidly deplete a lifetime of savings.

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program that pays for long-term care for those who qualify. However, strict asset and income limits apply. To be eligible, you generally cannot have more than $2,000 in countable assets as an individual (or $3,000 as a couple), excluding your home, car, and certain other exempt assets.

Our Medi-Cal planning services help you legally restructure your assets to meet eligibility requirements without sacrificing your family's financial security. We navigate the complex rules around asset transfers, the 30-month look-back period, spousal protections, and estate recovery to create a comprehensive plan tailored to your situation.

Whether you're planning ahead or need immediate assistance, we help protect your home, preserve assets for your spouse and heirs, and ensure you receive quality care without the financial devastation that often accompanies long-term care needs.

How Medi-Cal Planning Protects Your Family

Protect Your Home

Keep your family home safe from Medi-Cal recovery through strategic planning with irrevocable trusts, life estates, or proper transfers to family members.

Preserve Assets

Legally shelter your savings, investments, and property from spend-down requirements while maintaining Medi-Cal eligibility for long-term care coverage.

Spousal Protection

Ensure your healthy spouse maintains financial independence with proper income and asset allocation strategies under spousal impoverishment rules.

Navigate Look-Back Rules

Understand and comply with California's 30-month look-back period to avoid penalties and delays in benefit eligibility.

Avoid Estate Recovery

Implement strategies to protect your estate from Medi-Cal recovery claims after death, preserving your legacy for heirs.

Quality Care Access

Secure coverage for nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care without depleting family resources or sacrificing care quality.

Our Medi-Cal Planning Process

1

Asset Assessment

Review your complete financial picture and care needs timeline

2

Strategy Development

Create customized plan to protect assets and maximize eligibility

3

Document Preparation

Draft trusts, transfers, and legal documents to implement your plan

4

Application Support

Guide you through Medi-Cal application and approval process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Medi-Cal 30-month look-back period?
The look-back period is the 30 months before applying for Medi-Cal long-term care benefits. Any asset transfers during this period may result in a penalty period of Medi-Cal ineligibility. Proper planning before this window is crucial to protect your assets without penalties.
What assets are exempt from Medi-Cal eligibility?
Exempt assets typically include your primary residence (up to $688,000 in equity for 2024), one vehicle, personal belongings, household goods, burial plots, prepaid funeral arrangements, and certain life insurance policies. These don't count toward Medi-Cal's $2,000 asset limit.
How can I protect my home from Medi-Cal recovery?
Strategies include transferring the home to a spouse, establishing an irrevocable Medi-Cal asset protection trust, transferring to a disabled or minor child, creating a life estate, or ensuring a caregiver child exemption applies. Each option has specific requirements and timing considerations we help you navigate.
When should I start Medi-Cal planning?
The earlier, the better. Ideally, start planning at least 30 months before you anticipate needing long-term care to avoid look-back penalties. However, even if you need care soon or are already receiving care, there are still strategies available. We can help regardless of your timeline.
Will my spouse lose everything to pay for my nursing home care?
No. Medi-Cal has spousal impoverishment protections that allow your spouse to keep a significant amount of assets (Community Spouse Resource Allowance) and monthly income (Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance). We ensure your healthy spouse maintains financial security while you receive the care you need.

Protect Your Assets Today

Don't wait until it's too late. Start planning now to protect your family's financial future.

Schedule Free Consultation

Speak with a Medi-Cal Planning Attorney:

(818) 291-6217