Can I get Medi-Cal if I have a savings account?

Asked by: Annabel Beer  |  Last update: September 2, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (25 votes)

Medi-Cal limits seniors and people with disabilities to assets of no more than $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples — a restriction that has not changed since 1989. Assets include cash on hand, money in a checking or savings account, a second car, and other resources.

How much money can I have in the bank and get Medi-Cal?

eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10.

Can Medi-Cal see your bank account?

➢ What are “assets?” • Assets include bank accounts, cash, a second vehicle, homes, and other financial resources. information? Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.

Does having a savings account affect Medi-Cal?

Starting January 1, 2024, assets will no longer be counted to determine Medi-Cal eligibility!

Does Medicare look at your savings account?

Medicare examines your bank accounts and other assets when you seek financial help with Medicare costs. However, eligibility criteria and verification procedures differ by state of residence. In certain states, there are no asset limits for Medicare savings programs.

How Much Money I Have Saved & Invested at 29 Years Old

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What disqualifies you from Medi-Cal?

To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability. Be working and earning income (this can be part-time work). Have countable income less than 250% of the federal poverty level (in 2024, this equates to $3,158/mo.

How much money can you have in your bank account with Medicare?

This means individuals can have any amount of assets and still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Assets are things that you own, such as bank accounts, cash, second homes and vehicles. Individuals still have to meet income requirements for these programs.

What counts as income for Medi-Cal?

Income is considered when determining Medi-Cal eligibility. Income includes things such as, earnings from a job, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, self-employment income, retirement benefits, interest on assets, child or spousal support, and other means of income or support.

How do I protect my assets from Medi-Cal?

Many families seek to protect the family home. One of the best tools to protect the family home is the use of an irrevocable Medi-Cal Protection Trust. The Trust protects the family home from a Medi-Cal recovery lien. The Trust can be designed as a grantor trust which will not be required to file a separate tax return.

Can you have a medical savings account and Medicaid?

Medicare, Medicaid and HIP disqualifies you from having a health saving account. The IRS established Health Savings Accounts as a method to provide individuals a tax advantage to offset their health care costs.

What is the new law for Medi-Cal in 2024?

Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law in California will allow adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply.

Can you own a home and get Medi-Cal?

Yes, you can. First, your primary residence is an “exempt asset” for purpose of the Medi-Cal eligibility process, meaning your primary residence is not counted as a resource for Medi-Cal qualification because it is an exempt asset.

Do I have to pay back Medi-Cal?

The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Repayment only applies to benefits received by these beneficiaries on or after their 55th birthday and those who owned assets at the time of death.

Does Medi-Cal look at bank accounts?

Medi-Cal Considers Income, Not Assets, of Enrollees - California Health Care Foundation.

How much money can you have in the bank while on section 8?

There is no asset limit for families seeking to get into public housing, the Section 8 voucher program, or HUD federally subsidized multifamily housing.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal 2024-2023?

For 2024, the income limits are generally expressed as a percentage of the FPL and vary by the individual's category. For example, an individual may qualify for Medi-Cal if their yearly income is at or below $20,783. A couple may qualify for Medi-Cal if their annual income is at or below $28,208.

Can you get Medi-Cal if you have savings?

If you apply for Medi-Cal in 2023:

The current asset limit is $130,000 for one person. Each additional household member adds $65,000 to the asset limit. Up to 10 members can be in a household. Medi-Cal will also consider income information (including income from property).

How do I protect cash assets from Medicaid?

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is exactly as it sounds—a trust designed to protect assets from being counted for Medicaid eligibility. An MAPT allows a person to qualify for long term care benefits from Medicaid, while protecting assets from being depleted if long-term care is needed.

How far back does Medi-Cal look at assets?

How long before applying for Medi-Cal can a person transfer assets? The Medi-Cal "Look-Back" period in California is 30 months.

What kind of money counts as income?

Generally, you must include in gross income everything you receive in payment for personal services. In addition to wages, salaries, commissions, fees, and tips, this includes other forms of compensation such as fringe benefits and stock options.

Does social security count as income?

Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status.

Does interest count as income for Medi-Cal?

CalABLE account earnings, including interest and dividends, are not counted as income for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes. Distributions from a CalABLE account are not counted as income for Medi- Cal eligibility purposes if used for a “qualified disability expense” (QDE).

Can I get Medicare if I have money in the bank?

You'll probably get Medicare Part A for free if you qualify for Medicare. This applies no matter how much money you have going into your monthly bank account. However, Part A only covers a limited portion of your health care, such as inpatient or skilled nursing facility care in a hospital.

Is there a limit to how much money you can have in your bank account?

There is, however, a limit on how much of your checking account balance is covered by the FDIC (typically $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution), though some banks have programs with higher limits.