Do I have to pay Medi-Cal back?

Asked by: Providenci Carroll  |  Last update: October 26, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (22 votes)

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 who own assets at the time of death. If a deceased beneficiary owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

What happens if you don't report income to Medi-Cal?

If you do not report changes to your personal information right away, and then receive Medi-Cal benefits that you do not qualify for, you may have to repay DHCS.

What is the 3 month rule for Medi-Cal?

You may be able to receive a reimbursement if:

You received a Medi-Cal covered service on a date that you were eligible for Medi-Cal. The three periods of eligibility that are included are the following: RETRO: The 3-month period prior to the month you applied for the Medi-Cal program.

Does Medi-Cal put a lien on your house?

It turns out if you're in a long-term Nursing Care Facility at any Age Medi-Cal will submit a claim against your estate for all that they expended on your care. Medi-Cal may place a lean on your home if there aren't sufficient assets in the estate to pay them back.

How do I remove myself from Medi-Cal?

If you need to cancel your Medi-Cal coverage, call your local county office. Once you are released from Medi-Cal, get a quote online to view rates and enroll in a Covered California plan. Be aware that there are different income limits for Medicaid/Medi-Cal versus Covered California (the state exchange.)

Do I Have To Repay California Medi-Cal?

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What happens when you cancel Medi-Cal?

Once your Medi-Cal coverage is discontinued, you only have 60 days from the date it ends to start new health insurance. Unless you're getting health insurance through work, start a new plan as quickly as possible. To avoid being uninsured for any period of time, your new plan must start before your Medi-Cal plan ends.

How long does it take to cancel Medi-Cal?

If you need to cancel your health or dental plan, you can do so by logging in to your Covered California account. Covered California requires at least 14 days advance notice to process this request. It is strongly recommended that you request plan termination to be effective at the end of the month.

How to avoid Medi-Cal estate recovery in California?

Federal regulations prevent the DHCS from pursuing recovery for Medi-Cal services in the following circumstances:
  1. The deceased's spouse is still alive, whether they live in California or not.
  2. A disabled underaged child of the deceased resides in the deceased's home.

What is a Medi-Cal Lien?

Once you notify the DHCS, you can begin to create a Medi-Cal lien. A lien gives the government the right to collect – a kind of I.O.U. to be paid later. Medi-Cal's right to collect allows the organization to request a refund from personal injury settlements for treatment funds.

Do you have to pay monthly for Medi-Cal?

For many individuals who enroll in Medi-Cal, there is no premium, no co-payment, and no out of pocket cost. Effective July 1, 2022, all monthly premiums were reduced to $0.00.​ In general, individuals in Medi-Cal will get the same health benefits available through Covered California at a lower cost.

Do you pay monthly for Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal monthly premium amounts have been reduced to $0.00 effective July 1, 2022. Monthly billing and collection of premiums for the Optional Targeted Low Income Children's Program (OTLICP), formally known as Medi-Cal for Families program, will no longer be required.

How far back does Medi-Cal pay?

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

Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I get a job?

If you get Medi-Cal coverage and then get a job, you have a couple of options for keeping your Medi-Cal benefits. If you got Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits before you got your job, Social Security's 1619(b) program lets you earn up to $56,758 annually and still keep Medi-Cal coverage at no cost.

Can I get Medi-Cal if I'm not working?

People who are unemployed may be able to get a health plan through Covered California that includes savings based on your household size and income. You or your family members could also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal.

What are the fines for Medi-Cal?

When claim or amount at issue is $950 or less: Misdemeanor - six months county jail and/or $1,000 fine.

Does Medi-Cal cover funeral costs?

Medi-Cal will not pay for funeral or cremation costs. Information on how to qualify for Medi-Cal assistance and on estate recovery can be found at www.dhcs.ca.gov or 916-636-1980.

Can you own a home and qualify for Medi-Cal in California?

Principal residence. Property used as a home is exempt (not counted in determining eligibility for Medi-Cal).

Who notifies Medi-Cal when someone dies?

It is the legal responsibility of the estate (spouse, estate attorney, executor, heir, or person in possession of the property) to notify the Medi-Cal Recovery Unit within 90 days of the person's death.

Does Medi-Cal check your assets?

4. How to Qualify. To find out if you qualify for one of Medi-Cal's programs, look at your countable asset levels. As of July 1, 2022, you may have up to $130,000 in assets as an individual, up to $195,000 in assets as a couple, and an additional $65,000 for each family member.

Does Medi-Cal count assets?

Te Medi-Cal program applies an asset limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple for adults over age 65, persons under age 65 with a disability, and residents of long-term care facilities enrolled in Medi-Cal. In California, this asset limit will be eliminated in two phases.

What only goes through probate for Medi-Cal?

Repayment will be limited to the value of the assets in the deceased member's estate subject to probate. The Department will not recover the value of a deceased Medi-Cal member's property if it transfers to a different owner by survivorship, by trust, or by payment or transfer on death of the deceased Medi-Cal member.

Does Medi-Cal expire every year?

Local Medi-Cal offices review each member's eligibility once a year or when they report changes to their household. Everyone's renewal date is different.

Do you have to reapply for Medi-Cal every year?

Medi-Cal members must renew their coverage each year to keep their health care benefits. For most members, coverage is renewed automatically. Sometimes the county will send you a renewal form that you must review and return, along with any additional required information. Want to get started with Covered California?