How Do I Avoid Medi-Cal Estate Recovery?

The state can make a claim against your estate for the amount of the Medi-Cal benefits paid or the value of the estate, whichever is less. Under the old law, this means that the only way to avoid recovery was to have nothing left in the Medi-Cal recipient's name at the time of death .

Do you have to repay Medi-Cal?

The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal members . Repayment only applies to benefits received by these members on or after their 55th birthday and who own assets at the time of death. If a deceased member owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

Can Medi-cal take your house?

I. Can the State Take My Home If I Go on Medi-Cal? The State of California does not take away anyone's home per se . ... For example, your home may be an exempt asset while you are alive, and not counted for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes.

How do I protect my home from Medi-Cal?

Can the State Take My Home If I Go on Medi-Cal? The State of California does not take away anyone's home per se . Your home can, however, be subject to an estate claim after your death. For example, your home may be an exempt asset while you are alive, and not counted for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes.

What is the property limit for Medi-Cal?

You may have up to $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 in assets as a couple . Some of your personal assets are not considered when determining whether you qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. For example, assets that do not count are: Your primary home.

What is the Medi-Cal income limit for 2020?

Qualifications: An individual earning under $17,237 a year or a family of four with an annual household income less than $35,535 qualifies for Medi-Cal.

Do you have to repay Medi-Cal after your income increases?

Many of these people fear they will have to repay Medi-Cal for the months they were really ineligible for the no cost health insurance. Do you have to repay Medi-Cal after your income increases and you were no longer eligible? The short answer is usually not.

Does Medi-Cal check your bank account?

While Medicaid agencies do not have independent access to a Medicaid recipient's financial statements, Medicaid does an annual update to make sure a Medicaid recipient still meets the financial eligibility requirements. Furthermore, a Medicaid agency can ask for bank statements at any time , not just on an annual basis.

Do I have to report inheritance to Medi-Cal?

An inheritance will be counted as income in the month it is received. You or whoever is representing you will have to inform the state Medicaid agency , and Medicaid coverage will then end until you have again spent down your assets to the countable limit, which is $2,000 in most states.

Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I sell my house?

If you sell the home before your spouse applies for Medi-Cal, the proceeds from the sale will count towards that limit , since cash is a non-exempt asset. Thus, if you intend to sell the home, it is generally best to wait until after your spouse is on Medi-Cal and the home is in your name only.

What assets are exempt from Medi-Cal?

Exemptions include personal belongings, household furnishings, an automobile, irrevocable burial trusts , and one's primary home, given the Medicaid applicant or their spouse lives in the home. California does not have a maximum home equity value limit like most states.

What is the monthly income limit for Medi-Cal?

Will I lose Medi-Cal if I get married?

Unfortunately, when it comes to Medi-Cal, there is no such thing as “separate property .” Medi-Cal will count all of a spouse's separate assets when determining a married applicant's Medi-Cal eligibility. ... Some couples will go through a divorce just to protect their separate assets!

Does Medi-Cal verify income?

No. This program uses Social Security's countable income calculation to determine your income . Additionally, the WDP Program does not count unearned income from private or public disability benefits (such as SDI, SSI, SSDI, STD, LTD ) when determining your countable income.

What is considered low income in California?

How do I check my Medi-Cal eligibility?

How Do I Check My Medicaid Status? Contact your local county social services office to learn about your Medi-Cal status and eligibility. The California Department of Health Care Services has a full directory of each county's agency.