"As of January 1, 2026, California has reinstated the asset test for most long-term care Medi-Cal programs, which help cover nursing home and intensive in-home care. For Bay Area residents-including seniors, couples, and chosen families-this means home equity and savings may affect eligibility sooner than before, prompting concern and proactive planning. Updated Asset Limits Applicants are generally limited to: - $130,000 in countable assets (individual);"
"Exemptions often include your primary residence (under Medi-Cal guidelines), one vehicle, certain retirement accounts, personal belongings, and select burial plans. In the high-cost Bay Area, where many homes exceed $1 million, these thresholds can challenge even middle-class households. Why This Resonates Strongly in the Bay Area Bay Area seniors-especially in LGBTQ+ communities-often rely on partners, chosen family, or close friends rather than adult children, due to unique life experiences like lifetime wage gaps or past discrimination."
"Steering Clear of Transfer Pitfalls Casual transfers (e.g., gifting a home) can now trigger penalties under the reinstated look-back period (phasing up to 30 months for transfers after January 1, 2026). Gifts below fair market value delay eligibility, calculated against the state's average private-pay nursing home rate. Strategic, smaller timed gifts ("stacking") may shorten penalties under California's concurrent rules—but only with expert guidance."
As of January 1, 2026, California reinstated the asset test for most long-term care Medi-Cal programs, affecting eligibility for nursing home and intensive in-home care. Applicants face countable-asset limits of $130,000 for individuals, $195,000 for married couples, plus $65,000 per additional household member. Exemptions often include the primary residence, one vehicle, certain retirement accounts, personal belongings, and select burial plans. High Bay Area home values can push middle-class households over limits. LGBTQ+ seniors and those relying on chosen family may be disproportionately affected. A reinstated look-back period and transfer penalties (phasing up to 30 months) increase urgency for expert planning.
Read at San Francisco Bay Times
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