UNDERSTANDING MEDI-CAL: PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ADVISED
Making budgetary preparations for long-term care expenses is something that you should prioritize when you are looking ahead toward the latter portion of your life. This is true even if you expect to be on Medicare once you reach the age of eligibility because the Medicare program does not absorb assisted living expenses.
And, if you simply assume that you can pay these costs yourself you would do well to understand the fact that they are considerable and on the rise. Here in California the costs are generally higher than the averages, but in the United States as a whole it would have cost you an average of over $87,000 to spend the year in a private room in a nursing home in 2011.
Given the fact that the typical length of stay is somewhere in the vicinity of two years (and of course it could be longer) this is a significant bill to be presented with late in your life.
The good news is that you may be able to qualify for Medi-Cal, a federal entitlement program that will pay for a stay in an assisted living community or a nursing home. However, to do so while still retaining a significant portion of your resources you must plan ahead intelligently because there are strict Medi-Cal rules to adhere to and you can be penalized if you violate them.
Without question, Medi-Cal can provide a welcome solution but advance planning with professional guidance is key. If you are ready to get started, pick up the phone right now to arrange for a consultation with a licensed and experienced San Bernardino elder law attorney.