- Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM
- info@meghanavilalaw.com
Medi-Cal Planning
- Home
- Medi-Cal Planning
Long-term care is one of the greatest financial threats facing California families today. Whether it’s a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in-home care, the costs can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings. Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid, and it can pay for long-term care — but qualifying requires careful planning.
At Meghan Avila Law, PC, we help Napa Valley families navigate California’s complex Medi-Cal rules so they can access the care they need without losing everything they’ve worked to build.
Many people assume they must “spend down” all their assets before Medi-Cal will help pay for care — leaving nothing for a spouse, children, or the next generation. This isn’t always true. With proper planning, often done well in advance of needing care, it’s frequently possible to protect significant assets while still qualifying for benefits.
California’s Medi-Cal rules are unique compared to other states, and they continue to evolve. Working with an attorney who understands these nuances can mean the difference between preserving your legacy and losing it to long-term care costs.
Medi-Cal Eligibility Planning We evaluate your financial situation and develop a strategy to help you or your loved one qualify for Medi-Cal benefits, whether care is needed now or may be needed in the future.
Asset Protection Trusts We design and prepare irrevocable trusts, including Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), to help protect your home, savings, and other assets from being counted toward Medi-Cal’s eligibility limits.
Lookback Period Guidance We help clients understand California’s Medi-Cal lookback rules and how transfers of assets may affect eligibility, so planning can be structured with full awareness of timing requirements.
Crisis Planning If a loved one already needs care or has recently entered a nursing facility, we offer crisis planning strategies designed to protect assets even after care has begun.
Spousal Protections We help married couples understand and use spousal impoverishment protections, which allow a healthy spouse to retain a portion of the couple’s income and assets while the other spouse qualifies for benefits.
Application Assistance & Coordination We work alongside your family and, when needed, care facilities and financial advisors, to help ensure your Medi-Cal application is complete and accurately reflects your planning.
Coordination with Your Estate Plan Medi-Cal planning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We integrate these strategies with your broader estate plan, including your trust, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, so every part of your plan works together.
Not necessarily. There are legal strategies, including certain trusts and exempt asset categories, that may allow you to protect assets while still qualifying.
Not always. While advance planning offers the most options, crisis planning strategies can still help protect assets even after care has begun.
California has specific rules about home ownership and Medi-Cal, including protections for a home when a spouse or certain family members reside there. We can walk you through how these rules apply to your situation.
Medicare is federal health insurance primarily for people 65 and older, and it offers limited coverage for long-term care. Medi-Cal is a joint state-federal program that can cover long-term nursing home care for those who qualify financially.
Medi-Cal planning is most effective when it starts before a crisis hits — but it’s never too late to explore your options. Contact Meghan Avila Law, PC today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help protect your family’s assets while securing the care you or your loved one deserves.