Frequently Asked Questions For Seniors

What is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program.  Medicaid is a Federal health insurance program for low-income people.  There are several programs offered by Medi-Cal including, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Aged and Disabled No Share of Cost program and General Medi-Cal Share of Cost program.

How do I qualify for Medi-Cal benefits?

To qualify for Medi-cal programs you must have a certain income and have limited resources.  If you think you might qualify for Medi-Cal benefits, you should contact your local Department of Health Services (DHS office or the Seniors Law Center

Do I have to pay the government back for any Medi-Cal benefits I receive?

It depends. While you are alive, you do not have to pay back Medi-Cal benefits you receive. When you die, the California Department of Health and Human Services can recover from your estate the cost of any Medi-Cal benefits (except In Home Supportive Services benefits) you received after age 55. This is called the Medi-Cal Estate Recovery program. For purposes of Medi-Cal estate recovery, the word “estate” means anything that is left in your name at the time of your death. For most people receiving Medi-Cal benefits, the biggest item left in their name at the time of their death is their house. To avoid this problem, many people transfer title of their house out of their name prior to their death. However, by doing this you may encounter tax problems and risk being evicted from your property because you no longer have title to the property.

Seniors Law Center recommends you seek legal advice before making any property transfers.

What is the Long Term Care Medi-Cal program?

The Long Term Care Medi-Cal program pays for some, if not all, of the facility costs for a qualified resident in a nursing home. Generally, an individual qualifies for these benefits with a share of cost. You will have to turn over all but $35.00 of your income if you are an individual. If you are married, your spouse is entitled to a community resource allowance and a monthly maintenance need amount. For updated figures, visit the website for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform at www.canhr.org

How do I qualify for the Long Term Care Medi-Cal program?

You qualify for the Long Term Care Medi-Cal program if you do not have enough money to pay for the facility costs and have no more that $2,000 in countable resources. Your home, one car, personal property (e.g. clothes, furniture), burial plans, insurance policies with a collective value of less than $1,500 do not count as resources. Checking or savings account, property other than your primary residence, more than one car, insurance policies greater than $2,000 and annuities are countable resources. For assistance in arranging your assets to qualify for Medi-Cal benefits, you should contact a Medi-Cal estate planning attorney.

If I qualify for Medi-Cal do I need to apply for Long Term Care Medi-Cal benefits?

Yes. The programs are different and have different eligibility requirements.

Do I need to sell my house in order to qualify for Long Term Care Medi-Cal benefits?

No. Your home is not counted in determining your eligibility for any Medi-Cal program.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is the Federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

For more information about Medicare, contact the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program at (661) 868-1000 or visit the official Medicare website at www.medicare.gov

How do I qualify for Medicare benefits?

Medicare has three main parts (Part A, Part B and Part D):

PART A (HOSPITAL)

You qualify for Part A benefits if you are 65 years of age or older and paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years or under the age of 65 and receiving disability benefits for 24 months.

PART B (MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICES)

You qualify for Medicare Part B benefits if you buy into the program. For more information about Medicare, contact the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program at (661) 868-1000 or visit the official Medicare website at www.medicare.gov

What types of services does Medicare cover?

Medicare will pay for “skilled” services. “Skilled” services are medically reasonable and necessary to improve the functioning of a malformed body part, or for the treatment or diagnosis of an illness or injury.

What does Medicare Part A cover?

Medicare Part A covers Hospice care, home health services, inpatient hospital care and limited nursing home services. Not all costs are covered and there are limitations to the extent of coverage. For example, inpatient hospital care will be provided if a doctor has prescribed it; the patient needs the type of care that the hospital provides; and the hospital’s utilization committee or a peer review organization has not disapproved of the care to be provided. Medicare will only pay for inpatient hospital care after the patient pays a deductible and co-payment. Furthermore, Medicare will generally not pay for more than 90 days of inpatient hospital care.

What does Medicare Part B cover?

Medicare Part B pays for doctor’s services. X-rays and laboratory tests are two examples of what is covered. Again, coverage is limited to the extent that the patient must pay an annual deductible and regular co-payments.

What does Medicare part D cover?

Medicare drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name or generic prescriptions drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Every one with Medicare is eligible for this coverage. However this program is not free. Like any other insurance, you will pay a monthly premium, a yearly deductible and co-payment. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra-help. For more information, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

What is Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is power you give to another individual to make decisions in your interest.

A General Power of Attorney allows the person you appoint as your agent to make decisions regarding your finances. A General Power of Attorney is on the website of the Kern County Hall of Records.

A Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows the person you appoint as your agent to make decisions regarding your medical treatment. You can revoke the power of attorney at any time while you are still mentally competent. The power of attorney does not give your agent the right to keep you some place against your will.

What is an Advanced Health Care Directive?

An Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD) is California’s version of a Living Will. An AHCD includes sections for you to provide your medical treatment preferences and instructions and to appoint an agent to make health care decisions for you based on your preferences and instructions. If you need assistance, please call Seniors Law Center at (661) 325-5943 for an appointment.

My husband died but his name is still on the title to our deed. How do I get his name off the deed?

You will need to complete an Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant or an Affidavit of Death of Life Tenant depending on how you and your husband held title to the house. The affidavit must be notarized and recorded at the Kern County Hall of Records. The Kern County Hall of Record’s phone number is (661) 868-6449. If you need assistance, please call the Seniors Law Center at (661) 325-5943 for an appointment.

What is Homeowner or Renter Assistance?

Homeowner or Renter Assistance is a state program administered by the California Franchise Tax Board. The program provides a lump sum payment to qualifying individuals as a form of tax relief. To qualify, you must be 62 years of age or older, blind or disabled, own your property or rent property for at least $50.00 a month, and have income less than $37,676 for the last year. For more information please contact the Franchise Tax Board at http://www.ftb.ca.gov or Seniors Law Center at (661) 325-5943.

For More Information Please Call the Seniors Law Center (661) 325-5943