Medi-Cal Planning

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people 65 and older. It covers short-term skilled nursing and medical care, but not long-term custodial care. Medi-Cal, on the other hand, is California’s need-based program that helps cover long-term nursing home and medical costs for eligible individuals.

Medi-Cal planning is the process of legally protecting your assets while preparing for long-term care needs. It often involves setting up trusts, transferring ownership, and structuring your finances so you can qualify for Medi-Cal without losing everything you’ve worked for. The best time to plan is before you need care — ideally five years in advance — but even if you’re in a crisis, it’s not too late to get help.

Yes — without proper planning, Medi-Cal can recover the cost of your care after your death through the Estate Recovery Program, which can result in the sale of your home. However, with the right strategies (like a Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trust or specific title transfers), you can often prevent your home from being subject to recovery.

No. California law allows several legal strategies to preserve assets while qualifying for benefits. The goal isn’t to “get rid” of your money — it’s to structure ownership so certain assets aren’t counted against you for eligibility. Done right, you can keep control of your finances and still qualify for care coverage.

As of 2026, California’s asset limits have been reinstated for most Medi-Cal programs — so planning is critical. Certain types of property and accounts are still considered countable resources and some are exempt and don’t count. Proper planning ensures your assets remain shielded both during your lifetime and after your passing.

A MAPT is an irrevocable trust that removes assets from your name so they won’t count toward Medi-Cal eligibility or recovery. Once properly set up and funded, the assets in the trust are protected from nursing home “spend-down” requirements. It’s one of the most effective tools for long-term care planning in California — but it must be drafted and timed carefully.

Yes. Your primary residence is generally considered an exempt asset while you’re alive — but it can still be subject to estate recovery after death. Planning ahead with proper titling or trust strategies can ensure your home passes to your loved ones, not to the state.

They’re essentially the same concept, but Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid. Because California’s laws, exemptions, and recovery rules are unique, advice that applies in other states often doesn’t work here. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a California-based attorney who understands our specific statutes and regulations.

Maybe — but timing matters. Transfers made too close to applying for Medi-Cal can trigger penalties or delay eligibility. Instead of gifting assets outright, it’s usually better to use a Medi-Cal-compliant trust or other structured strategy to protect assets safely and legally.

Our focus is on strategic asset protection and estate planning, not paperwork processing. We design the legal framework — trusts, transfers, and estate structures — that protect your assets and prevent recovery. Then, we work with trusted specialists who handle the actual Medi-Cal application. You get a coordinated, comprehensive plan from start to finish.