Medi-Cal Rules for Qualifying

Effective January 1, 2008
Community Spouse Resource Allowance
(CSRA) is $104,400

(Single, Widowed or Divorced remains the same at $2,000)

 
Note: These figures are for California only and are not exact for other states. 

The First Test rule for
Assets & Resources*

TWO Tests have been developed by Medi-Cal to determine eligibility to qualify for financial assistance. These two tests will determine whether or not the government will help cover your "out of pocket" expenses. You must pass both tests!

* In order to pass the Assets & Resources Test, you must comply with the "30-month Look Back Rule" for gifting.

This rules does not apply to married couples (as of 10/1/93).

¹Still considered an asset and countable resource by Medi-Cal. However, contain several provisions which greatly minimize the impact of Medi-Cal requirements— superior to ordinary annuities.

²A non-annuitized annuity is still considered an asset and countable resource by Medi-Cal. Once an annuity has been annuitized and the applicant or beneficiary is receiving an income of principal and interest, that income and the lump sum within the annuity is "unavailable" to Medi-Cal as a countable asset or resource. This may soon be subject to new limitations based on Social Security Life Expectancy Tables according to the Health Care Financial Administrations' OBRA '93 guidelines.

Non-Countable Assets:
(Good) 

$104,400($2,000 single) Plus:

• Home (regardless of value)
   

• One Car (regardless of value)

• Household Goods
   

• Personal Property

• Medi-Cal Friendly Annuities¹
   

• Life Insurance ($1,500 cash limit)
   

• Burial Insurance (Unlimited)
   

• Burial Plot
   

• Wedding & Engagement Rings
   

• IRA’s/Pension Plans – Well Spouse
  (Exempt for community spouse)
   

• IRA’s/Pension Plans – Medi-Cal Recipient
  (Unavailable as long as periodic income of principal and interest is taken. Principal is exempt and not subject to recovery.)
   

Countable Assets:
(Bad)

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
   

• Other Cars, Trucks, Motor Homes
   

• Stocks and Bonds
   

• Ordinary Annuities (Non-annuitized)³
   

• Money Market Accounts
   

• Mutual Funds
   

• Passbook Savings Accounts
   

• Checking Accounts
   

• Real Estate (non-income producing)

• Precious metals, coins and gems