Most seniors will require some form of a nursing home or long-term care during their elderly years. At the Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, PC, we understand the multitude of emotions that come with preparing for this reality:
- Parents who are afraid of being lost in the system or becoming a burden for their children
- Children who only want the best for their parents, but do not know how to find much care or how such care can be afforded,
- Seniors afraid that the cost of long-term care will leave their surviving spouses completed impoverished and without much-needed assets
- Families that are concerned about preserving the legacy of a loved one and are fearful of losing such legacies to nursing home costs
At the Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, PC, we are dedicated to serving as your personal trust lawyer as we serve your family’s legal needs through all generations of life. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a skilled Pleasant Hill elder law attorney at 925-230-9002.
We discuss long-term care options and asset protection strategies with clients, as well as Medicaid/Medi-Cal planning strategies that enable clients to become eligible for government-funded services to cover nursing home and long-term care costs. Read our FAQs about Medi-Cal in particular.
Beware: The Rules Are About To Change, So Plan Now
It’s important to plan as early as possible to have the most flexibility and options. The rules regarding Medi-Cal are about to change, and the 30-month “look-back” period will go away. This means you want to plan now before the rules change.
Right now, it’s still possible for many people to protect their homes and assets through the creation of irrevocable trusts, veterans trusts, Medi-Cal trusts, and other estate planning tools. The right trust can help you avoid becoming impoverished by the costs of nursing home care.
Helping Families Afford Long-Term Care
Very few families can afford more than a few months of nursing home care without depleting their entire estate. While some people purchase long-term care insurance to alleviate the cost of such care, most people will need Medi-Cal to cover the expense of nursing home care, assisted living, and other long-term care.
Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, provides coverage for nursing home care and other medically necessary health care services. However, because Medi-Cal is a government-funded medical assistance program, eligibility is determined by assets and income. Medi-Cal is designed to provide for long-term care in a skilled nursing facility.
Although various waiver programs are available, they are limited and come with long waiting lists. Therefore, it may be essential to review other funding options and to plan as early as possible, if you wish to receive in-home care or assisted care. In some cases, veterans may qualify for the special pension (aid and attendance).
Proactive Life Planning
Proactive Medi-Cal/Medicaid planning is essential to becoming eligible for benefits when they are needed. Our law firm helps clients navigate the complex Medi-Cal rules and eligibility requirements, keeping in mind federal look-back periods, asset-transfer penalties, and waiting periods that ultimately affect if and when an individual may become eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.
Contact Our Lawyer To Learn More
Please contact our Pleasant Hill law firm to schedule a no-obligation initial consultation with the East Bay planning attorney at the Law Office of Jeffrey Hall, PC.
We are available during regular office hours and on weeknights and weekend by appointment. We look forward to meeting and working with you to find legal solutions that meet your needs. Call 925-230-9002.