Q. Mother recently died after spending two years in a nursing home on Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal just sent us a bill for about $150,000 and says it will file a claim against her home. Yikes! We thought her home was an exempt asset. What do we do about the bill? A. Your situation is all too… Read More »
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Senior Alert: Medi-Cal Eligibility Rules Are Changing For Those Over 65!
Q. I heard that the Medi-Cal rules to qualify for a long-term care subsidy are about to change. This would be very important to us, as my husband, now aged 85, will soon need care in a nursing home, and we are very concerned about the cost. Do you know anything about this? A. Yes,… Read More »
Should We Sell Mom’s Home To Pay For Her Care?
Q. Our mother is in assisted living and may need to go into a nursing home soon. To raise money for her ongoing care, we are thinking of selling her home which is now vacant. Any thoughts as to whether that makes sense? A. Well, here’s the thing: selling mom’s home may undermine her ability… Read More »
How the $1.9 Trillion ‘American Rescue Plan Act’ Will Help Seniors
Q, I know that Congress and President Biden recently approved a new law that adds significant money into improving vaccinations and other COVID-19 outreach, but I wonder what other provisions are in the new law that might help seniors. A. Good question. The AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT of 2021 (“ARPA”), R. 1319, was narrowly passed… Read More »
Medi-Cal Myths Uncovered
Q. In talking with friends, I discovered a lot of misunderstanding about how the Medi-Cal program works if one needs help with the high cost of nursing home care. I wonder if you would clarify matters. A. Sure. I have also discovered much misunderstanding, even among care professionals. Here are the most common “myths” regarding the… Read More »
Preservation of Parent’s Low Property Tax Rate Soon to Be More Difficult for Children: Planning ‘Window’ Closing
Q. I understand that the recently passed Proposition 19 on the California Ballot will make major changes in the property tax structure. Is that true? A. Yes, indeed. California voters just narrowly approved Proposition 19, overhauling our property tax rules originally stemming from the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978. Most notable are the new… Read More »
How Can We Save Mom’s Home While She’s In A Nursing Home On Medi-Cal?
Q. Our mother just moved into a nursing home for care and has qualified for a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with the cost. However, Medi-Cal wants all of mom’s income to go to the nursing home as her “co-pay”. That leaves nothing to cover her home expenses, including her mortgage, property taxes, insurance and upkeep…. Read More »
Preserving Your Low Property Tax For Your Children
Q. My wife and I have owned our home, and a rental duplex, for approximately 20 years and have a low assessed value on each. We would like to preserve the low property tax rate for our son. If we pass it to him by gift or by inheritance, would either transfer trigger reassessment and… Read More »