What is Medi-Cal? It’s California’s Medicare program that helps low-income, disabled, and older adults get the care they need.
It’s a tricky program to navigate as there are many rules and requirements in terms of income and assets. If you’re just starting out, it’s helpful to work with a Medi-Cal planning attorney to ensure the application process goes smoothly.
Here are the five things you should know about Medi-Cal. The more you know about the program, the higher the odds that you’ll complete the application correctly and not make a mistake that leads to denial.
Complete Applications Are More Likely to Get Approved
The Medi-Cal application asks for information from federal tax forms, pay stubs, and a Social Security Number. You have to provide a comprehensive list of your assets as you must not have more assets than are allowed. Assets include stocks, bonds, savings, second homes, etc. It doesn’t include your primary home or vehicle.
You can apply without all of this information, but it’s more likely you’ll get a response asking you to provide the missing information. The more thorough you are from the start, the better it is to get approved on your first try.
You Can Apply Several Ways
Apply for Medi-Cal by phone if that’s easiest. You can also apply by mail or online. If you’re not certain you can fill out the application on your own, a Medi-Cal attorney is happy to help. The use of an elder law expert in Medi-Cal rules and regulations increases the odds of a successful application on the first try.
Medi-Cal Enables Seniors to Seek Health Care Services
How does Medi-Cal help older adults? Once they qualify, they’re entitled to a range of beneficial health care, vision care, and dental care services. Trips to the ER, outpatient care, and hospitalizations are covered. Medi-Cal also covers:
- Chronic disease management and treatments
- Mental health treatments
- Physical, occupation, and speech therapies
- Prescription drugs
- Preventative care
33% of Californians Use Medi-Cal
Some people may feel shame that they have to ask for help. One out of every three Californians is enrolled in Medi-Cal. It’s important to take care of your health, so pride should not keep you from reaching out to a Medi-Cal attorney to see if you qualify.
You Have to Meet Income Guidelines
For adults to qualify for Medi-Cal, they must meet the 2022 income guidelines. A single adult cannot earn more than $18,755 (138% of the poverty level). A couple cannot earn more than $25,268.
There are exceptions to this if you are 65 or older, blind, disabled, or living in an intermediate or skilled nursing care home. People who are enrolled in CalFresh, SSI/SSP, or CalWorks can also qualify. The best way to know for sure is to work with an expert in Medi-Cal. A Medi-Cal attorney can walk you through the qualifications and help you apply.
The Law Office of James Dolenga offers SSDI, SSI, Estate Planning, & and Medi-Cal Planning Attorney in Ontario, CA. Call today for your legal consultation. (866) 772-5299
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/ssi-vs-ssdi-what-are-these-benefits-how-they-differ
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals
Attorney Dolenga has successfully guided thousands of severely disabled clients in presenting their claims before the Social Security Administrations administrative law judges and numerous Federal district courts across the country. As a result of these efforts, his clients have been provided with the resources needed to support themselves and their families.
Through this work, Attorney Dolenga also sees first-hand the catastrophic effects a severe, and often sudden, medical diagnosis or death can have on a family emotionally and financially. This allows him to fully understand how critically important advanced planning can be. Whether in drafting a simple will to protect an individual or a couple and their home and bank account or drafting more complex documents, he understands how important this planning can be to the lives of his clients and their families.
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