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1. If a Medi-Cal applicant’s spouse transfers assets, will that result in any period of ineligibility for nursing home care? Generally, California will not impose any period of ineligibility for nursing home care on the applicant if his or her spouse previously transferred assets. The exception is if the asset/resource transferred originally belonged to the applicant. In that case, a disqualification period will be imposed if the spouse received the assets from the applicant before […]...
2. What property/assets are allowable for Medi-Cal? The Medi-Cal program determines eligibility for benefits on a “means” tested basis. If a Medi-Cal applicant’s property/assets are over the Medi-Cal property limit, the applicant will not be eligible for Medi-Cal unless they lower their property/assets according to the program rules. The Medi-Cal eligibility worker looks at how much an applicant and their family has […]...
3. Share of Cost – What property/assets are allowable for Medi-Cal? The Medi-Cal program determines eligibility for benefits on a “means” tested basis. If a Medi-Cal applicant’s property/assets are over the Medi-Cal property limit, the applicant will not be eligible for Medi-Cal unless they lower their property/assets according to the program rules. The Medi-Cal eligibility worker looks at how much an applicant and their family has […]...
4. How much does a person have to pay for services while on Medi-Cal? The county looks at the applicant’s income after he or she establishes eligibility for Medi-Cal by spending down assets to no more than $89,280 for a couple with one spouse institutionalized or $2,000 for a single individual. The county looks at the income the individual receives in his or her own name and divides in […]...
5. Where can I get more information on Medi-Cal Eligibility? You can find more information by downloading a copy of “Before You Buy,” found on the Partnership’s web site. This document, which provides an explanation of asset protection and Medi-Cal Eligibility rules, must be provided to consumers when long-term care presentations are made, in compliance with Partnership regulations. “Before You Buy” is updated annually with […]...
6. If a person applies for Medi-Cal, can they have a principal residence in another state (outside of California) and still qualify for Medi-Cal? Yes, but the person has to distinguish between “principal residence” and “primary residence”. In other words, they can have a principal residence anywhere, as long as they eventually return to it to live. In order to qualify for Medi-Cal, a person must show that they are presently living in California with the intention to remain […]...
7. What are the community spousal resource limits for 2002 when qualifying for the Medi-Cal nursing home benefit? The 2002 community spouse resource allowances are $89,280 in assets and $2,232 in monthly income. For a married couple with one spouse in a nursing home and the other spouse at home, the spouse at home may keep up to $89,280 in resources (property and other assets) while the spouse in a nursing home may […]...
8. How long before applying for Medi-Cal can a person transfer assets? The Medi-Cal “Look-Back” period in California is 30 months. “Transfer” means an outright gift or a “sale” made at less than “fair market value.” If a disqualifying transfer of property is made, Medi-Cal will calculate the period of ineligibility for nursing facility level of care. It will be the number of months resulting when the […]...
9. How long before applying for Medi-Cal can a person transfer assets? The Medi-Cal “Look-Back” period in California is 30 months. “Transfer” means an outright gift or a “sale” made at less than “fair market value.” If a disqualifying transfer of property is made, Medi-Cal will calculate the period of ineligibility for nursing facility level of care. It will be the number of months resulting when the […]...
10. Share of Cost – Community Spousal Resource Question: What are the community spousal resource limits for 2002 when qualifying for the Medi-Cal nursing home benefit? The 2002 community spouse resource allowances are $89,280 in assets and $2,232 in monthly income. For a married couple with one spouse in a nursing home and the other spouse at home, the spouse at home may […]...
11. SOC: What is a Eligibility Verification Confirmation (EVC) number for Share of Cost Once SOC has been certified, an Eligibility Verification Confirmation (EVC) number is displayed in the message returned by the Medi-Cal eligibility verification system.  Return of an EVC number does not guarantee that a subscriber qualifies for full-scope Medi-Cal or CMSP benefits.  It does, however, indicate that the subscriber qualifies for at least partial services.  Providers […]...
12. How are retirement annuities treated for Medi-Cal eligibility? Annuities are not considered exempt unless they are IRAs, KEOGHS, or work-related pension funds held in the name of a person who does not want Medi-Cal for him- or herself. If payments are being received, however, those payments are considered income. The cash surrender value of IRAs, KEOGHS and work-related pension funds held in the […]...
13. Share of Cost Case Summary Your Medi-Cal case has been affected by a lawsuit called Sneede v. Kizer.  This lawsuit limits which family members may use medical expenses that are not billed to Medi-Cal to meet their family’s Share of Cost. If you are a spouse or a parent, you have the choice of listing your medical expenses in any […]...
14. Can a nursing home resident give away their income, or does it need to be spent on medically necessary care? Let us say a person is in a nursing home and wants to give their grandchild $50 for their birthday. Can they do that? There is currently no transfer of income penalty in California. However, a nursing home resident’s income must be used to meet their SOC, or Medi-Cal will pay for NO services during that month. The nursing home resident is allowed only $35 for personal needs. It is fine if he/she wants to give their $35 away, […]...
15. Certifying Share of Cost Benefits and Coverage Subscribers are not eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits until their monthly Share of Cost dollar amount has been certified online. Certifying SOC means that the Medi-Cal eligibility verification system shows the subscriber has paid or become obligated for the entire monthly dollar SOC amount owed. Claims submitted for services rendered to a subscriber whose SOC […]...