Did you know that "Medi-Cal offers health care coverage to individuals and families who have incomes too high to qualify for welfare, but too low to cover health care costs?

Today, one out of nine Americans is over age 65, and 5% of the over-65 population is in a nursing home. The proportion of older persons in the population will continue to rapidly increase because of declining birthrates and longer life expectancies. Estimates of the number of older persons who will need nursing home placement range from 36% to 65%.

    Annual nursing home costs are estimated by the State at above $4000 per month and can be higher. The majority of nursing home residents use Medicaid to help pay for their care. Having a family member who needs nursing home care can be financially devastating for most working and middle-income families unless they use Medicaid.

Medicaid funds in California come through the Medi-Cal program which is not just for the "poor"!

    Read what the State of California says (between "" marks with the underline emphasis added by our website): "Contrary to common misperception, many Medi-Cal recipients are not on welfare. In addition to covering individuals who receive cash assistance from the government, Medi-Cal offers health care coverage to individuals and families who have incomes too high to qualify for welfare, but too low to cover health care costs. Medi-Cal requires some of these recipients to contribute to their health care by paying a share of the cost of the services they receive."   

Only paying a "Share of Cost" can mean substantial savings for your family. It means you only part of the regular private pay rate of a nursing home without reducing the quality of care. In fact, our clients have reported that care is more mproved than private pay as the homes are more attentive to Medi-Cal persons probably due to laws of Medi-Cal non- discrimination!

    If a person cannot provide for his or her own nursing home needs and does not have long-term care insurance or has inadequate insurance, then Medicaid qualification will be necessary. Medicaid is a federal state program that provides medical assistance, including nursing home room and board, to needy and low-income persons of all ages. At the present time Medicaid does not pay for assisted living although California is evaluating such a change.

    Medicare, a different program, pays for convalescent skilled nursing care up to a maximum of 100 days after a qualifying 3 day hospital stay. Clients find it hard to remain on Medicare coverage and typically convert to Medicaid.

    If you cannot afford this expense, please know that Congress has already provided for some, most or even all of the cost of your care, unless you don't apply for it. You can plan to qualify for MediCaid, which is Medi-Cal in California. Congress does not require that you are impoverished! Congress has set up methods that enable you to legally preserve your assets by converting them into exempt or "unavailable" assets.

    It is easy to list the exempt and unavailable classifications, but listing them is a disservice to readers as it is only with the proper application of the exemptions along with timing that can result in saving clients estates. Comparison: knowing where the notes on the piano make you a musican. Planning for Medicaid qualification is not suitable for self help when you are serious about trying to protect assets. Many persons keep all or substantially all of their assets and qualify for Medicaid with proper planning.

    What assets will you sell to pay $4,000+ per month for convalescent care? Call us (916)489-890