What are countable assets for Medi-Cal?
Asked by: Dr. Tatum Keebler II | Last update: June 22, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (2 votes)
What assets can you have and still qualify for 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. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.
What is a countable asset?
Basically, all money and property, and any item that can be valued and turned into cash, is a countable asset unless it is one of those assets listed above as exempt. This includes: Cash, savings, and checking accounts, credit union share and draft accounts. Certificates of deposit. U.S. Savings Bonds.
Can I have money in the bank and still get Medi-Cal?
➢ 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. Income and income from assets, such as income from property, will continue to be counted.
Is social security counted as income for Medi-Cal?
Income-based Medi-Cal counts most types of earned and unearned income you have. However, some income is not counted, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and some contributions to retirement accounts.
MEDICAID Exemptions | Countable Assets vs. Exempt Assets
What will disqualify you from Medi-Cal?
The Medi-Cal program determines eligibility for benefits on a “means” tested basis. If a Medi-Cal applicant's property/assets are over the Medi-Cal property limit, the applicant will not be eligible for Medi-Cal unless they lower their property/assets according to the program rules.
What is countable income?
Countable Income definition
Countable income is the amount left over after: Eliminating from consideration all items that are not income; and. Applying all appropriate exclusions to the items that are income.
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.
Does inheritance count as income for Medi-Cal?
How an inheritance is treated for purposes of Non-MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility depends on what the individual inherits. For example, if an individual receives an inheritance of $100,000 as a lump sum, this lump sum would be treated as income in the Non- MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility determination in the month received.
Can I own a house and get Medi-Cal in California?
First, if you own a home, you can still qualify for Medi-Cal. California has one of the best health services in this regard because California does not ask that you sell your home and pay for your medical needs, but rather it will front all the medical bills for you while you are alive.
Is a savings account considered an asset?
Assets are things you own that have value. Your money in a savings or checking account is an asset. A car, home, business inventory, and land are also assets. Each program has different rules about what counts as an asset and the total value of your assets allowed to qualify for assistance.
How does Medicaid know you have assets?
Required documentation to be provided by the applicant might include checking, savings, money market, credit union, and certificates of deposit (CD) account statements, life insurance policies, deeds or appraisals for one's home and other real estate, copies of stocks and bonds, deeds to burial plots, and copies of pre ...
What are countable items?
Countable nouns refer to items that can be counted, even if the number might be extraordinarily high (like counting all the people in the world, for example). Countable nouns can be used with articles such as a/an and the or quantifiers such as a few and many.
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.
How far back does Medi-Cal look at assets?
The 30 month period in California (or 5 year period in other states) is known as the “look-back period.” In essence, state Medicaid agencies are “looking back” for assets transferred at less than fair market value.
How often does Medicaid check your bank account?
Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.
What are considered assets for Medi-Cal?
Assets are things you own, which can be counted for Medi-Cal eligibility. These items include bank accounts, cash, second vehicles and homes, and other financial resources.
Will I lose Medicaid if I inherit money?
California stands apart from the other states. In CA, Medicaid (Medi-Cal) recipients can gift inheritance, which is considered “income”, the month in which it is received. Furthermore, Medi-Cal recipients have no asset limit, and therefore, can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for long-term care benefits.
How much money can you have in the bank and still qualify for Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal will consider assets and income information as part of the application process. The current asset limit is $130,000 for one person. Each additional household member adds $65,000 to the asset limit.
What is the asset limit for Medi-Cal 2024 for seniors?
On January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal eliminated any asset limit for enrollees and instead considers only applicants' income when assessing financial eligibility for benefits.
Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I sell my house?
Oftentimes, the personal residence is sold during a Medi-Cal recipient's lifetime for various reasons. If the home is in the recipient's name, the personal residence will now be converted to a non-exempt asset, cash, and the recipient will no longer qualify for Medi-Cal.
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).
What income is not counted?
Inheritances, gifts, cash rebates, alimony payments (for divorce decrees finalized after 2018), child support payments, most healthcare benefits, welfare payments, and money that is reimbursed from qualifying adoptions are deemed nontaxable by the IRS.
What are countable resources?
Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit. Many things you own do not count.
What is excluded as income?
Income excluded from the IRS's calculation of your income tax includes life insurance death benefit proceeds, child support, welfare, and municipal bond income. The exclusion rule is generally, if your "income" cannot be used as or to acquire food or shelter, it's not taxable.