Can I own a house and get Medi-Cal in California?
Asked by: Mrs. Lupe Cronin | Last update: May 26, 2025Score: 5/5 (59 votes)
Can you get Medi-Cal in California if you own a home?
If you own a house, you may still qualify for Medi-Cal without selling your home. For those applying for Medi-Cal, the home can be considered a non-countable asset as long as certain conditions are met, like if a spouse or dependent still lives in the home or if the applicant intends to return there.
Can Medi-Cal take your house?
Will the state force the family to sell the home? A primary home is an exempt asset. This means that Sarah's Mom would not be disqualified for Medi-Cal's nursing home benefits simply because she owns a home. She can keep the property while she is on Medi-Cal.
What is the property asset limit for Medi-Cal?
asset information? 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. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.
Can you own a home and go on Medicaid?
You cannot. Medicaid has an asset limit of $2000. If you have more than $2000 in assets, you lose Medicaid eligibility. Of course, $2000 is not even enough for a down payment. Many elderly people are forced to sell their homes and spend the money on medical care before becoming eligible for Medicaid.
Do I Have To Repay California Medi-Cal?
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 to avoid nursing home taking your house?
- Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance. ...
- Sell or Transfer Assets. ...
- Create a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. ...
- Choose Home Health Instead. ...
- Form a Life Estate. ...
- Purchase a Medicaid-Compliant Annuity. ...
- Pay With Your Life Insurance Policy.
How do I protect my assets from Medi-Cal?
Proper elder law Medi-Cal planning is having all assets held in a decedent's revocable living trust to avoid both probate and Medi-Cal recovery. It is very important to plan for your loved ones by having a revocable living trust.
Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I sell my house?
➢ Do assets affect my eligibility? Starting on January 1, 2024, assets, such as bank accounts, cash, a second vehicle, and homes, will no longer be counted when determining Medi-Cal eligibility.
What is considered household income for Medi-Cal?
You are 19-64 years old and your family's income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($21,597 for an individual; $44,367 for a family of four). You are a child 18 or younger and your family's income is at or below 266% of FPL ($85,519 per year for a family of four).
Can your house be taken for medical debt?
A creditor can't seize someone's house because of unpaid medical debt, but that doesn't mean your house isn't in jeopardy if the debt is large enough. If the debt ends up in court, a judge may place a lien on your house, which has to be paid before a homeowner can refinance or sell the home.
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.
What are the new rules for Medi-Cal 2024?
Basic Information. 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.
How to avoid Medi-Cal estate recovery?
The State of California is prohibited from the recovery of any Medi-Cal expenses used if there is a surviving spouse until the surviving spouse passes away. Also, if there is a minor child under the age of 21 or a blind child, or a disabled child, then the State is prohibited from any Medi-Cal recovery.
Can you buy a house as a Medi-Cal resident?
Many residency programs offer financial assistance for residents who are buying homes. Additionally, banks like Physician Bank offer special physician loans for doctors, residents and other medical professionals. These loans often have lower interest rates and down payment requirements than traditional mortgages.
Can I qualify for Medi-Cal if I own a house?
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 sell my house to qualify for Medicaid?
Note: California stands apart from the other states. CA eliminated their Medicaid (Medi-Cal) asset limit effective 1/1/24. Medi-Cal applicants and beneficiaries can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for Medi-Cal. They could sell their home and it have no impact on their eligibility.
Can Medi-Cal take your house if it is in a trust?
If there is no probate estate -meaning all assets are held in a revocable or irrevocable trust there is no Medi-Cal Estate Recovery. If the recipient has a surviving child who is under the age of 21 or disabled, then the estate may not be claimed.
Can Medi-Cal take my inheritance?
Estate Lawyer: Christopher B, Esq. Receiving an inheritance may impact eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits. As a recipient of government benefits, you may not have more than $2,000 in assets before your eligibility for government benefits will be affected. To avoid this from happening is to disclaim your inheritance.
How do I legally protect my 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.
Can a nursing home take your house if it is in a trust?
Once your home is in the trust, it's no longer considered part of your personal assets, thereby protecting it from being used to pay for nursing home care. However, this must be done in compliance with Medicaid's look-back period, typically 5 years before applying for Medicaid benefits.
What happens to your bills when you go into a nursing home?
If you have existing unpaid medical bills, and go into a nursing home and receive Medicaid, the program may allow you to use some or all of your current monthly income to pay the old bills, rather than just to be paid over to the nursing home, providing you still owe these old medical bills and you meet a few other ...
What happens to my mom's house if she goes into a nursing home?
The state may file a TEFRA lien against one's home if it is believed that their stay in a nursing home is permanent. With a lien, a legal claim is made against the home to collect debt. This does not mean that the home must immediately be sold.
What happens to your bank account when you go into a nursing home?
The nursing home must have a system that ensures full accounting for your funds and can't combine your funds with the nursing home's funds. The nursing home must protect your funds from any loss by providing an acceptable protection, such as buying a surety bond.