Do I need to spend everything I have in order to become eligible for Medi-Cal?
No. With proper planning, you will not need to spend everything in order to become eligible for Medi-Cal. You can still do the planning even if you are in immediate need of Medi-Cal benefits. For one thing, there are certain exempt/non-countable assets that will not affect your eligibility for Medi-Cal, such as your home, if you state an intent to return home on your Medi-Cal application. But there are also steps that you can take to save your non-exempt/countable assets. For example, you can transfer assets out of your name under certain Medi-Cal approved conditions or convert countable assets into non-countable assets, such as using the cash to pay your home mortgage or repair your home. Make sure you consult with an elder law attorney to come up with the best plan for you. You may be disqualified from Medi-Cal if you do not do it properly.
