Nice talking to you thank you for the guidance.

Thank you for this, Kevin - always so informative and information is power. Appreciated your mention of Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program.

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

There is no free lunch....so to speak.

Thank You for this video. I recently learned about this and this is good news for many and will allow many people over 65 and or disabled to have access to an In Home Supportive Services worker. This will keep people in their own homes longer. I wish they would increase the income limits as it is very difficult for spouses that are still working to get the breaks and help they need to care for a disabled spouse. There seems no help for people that have an income from working.

@KevinKnauss

4 ай бұрын

You are correct, the income limits seem unrealistically low for California.

Commenting to help support this channel!

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Thank you. I hope the content I post answers some questions people might have.

@tizocrobles636

5 ай бұрын

What will be the monthly income for 2024 non magi medi cal

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

For 2023: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary is $1,235 individual and $1,663 per couple. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary is $1,478 individual and $1,992 for a couple. Those number will increase in 2024.@@tizocrobles636

Great video! I learn a lot from your videos. For Non-Magi Medi-Cal (for my parents 65+), is it better to go to County office, call or sign up on CoveredCA to see if my parents are eligible for Medi-Cal?

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Excellent question! You need to go straight to the county for the paperwork and eligibility determination. Covered California is really only for MAGI Medi-Cal. I should have addressed the issue of what agency to contact in the video.

OK for the lecture. BUT WHERE DO I GET THYE APPLICATION FORM?

@KevinKnauss

4 ай бұрын

You need to contact your county Social Services Department. Many counties have websites where you can download applications. I'm not sure if www.benefitscal.com has the forms or not.

Does non magi apply to EVERYONE based on age (65+) or only 65+ ELIGIBLE for MEDICARE? there is some confusion on marketplace end as far as options for those who are 65+ but NOT eligible for MEDICARE? Thank you for info!

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

The following information is from a DHCS webinar on Medi-Cal asset elimination I attended. The following individuals may be eligible for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal: 1. Persons under 21 years of age, or 65 years of age and older 2. Individuals who are blind or disabled 3. Individuals in long term care facilities or nursing homes 4. Families with children under age 21 who have too much income to qualify for MAGI Medi-Cal 5. Pregnant women. Additionally - 1. Supplement Security Income recipients are automatically eligible for Medi-Cal. 2. The elimination of assets does NOT apply to individuals who receive their Medi-Cal through the SSI program as SSI uses federal criteria for program eligibility.

Hi! If I am understanding your video, my parents bought a house OOS under my name for school but my primary residence is in CA (I currently live in CA and use Medi-cal routinely) I don’t need to report that house if it’s out-of-state, correct?

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

MAGI Medi-Cal would be based on your income only. If the house generates income, such as rental income, that shows up on your taxes, that would need to be reported.

@jamesaaron4834

2 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss thanks for the prompt reply!

Great video! Can a married couple on full scope MAGI Medi-Cal with one also on Medicare withdraw unlimited assets from a traditional IRA in 2024?

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Having a large sum of retirement funds in a traditional IRA will not impact eligibility for MAGI Medi-Cal. Also, in 2024, a large retirement account will not count against eligibility for non-MAGI Medi-Cal that covers Medicare cost sharing. Distributions from a retirement account, if the withdrawals are considered taxable income, can impact eligibility for MAGI Medi-Cal. It may also adversely affect non-MAGI Medi-Cal. I'd speak with your Medi-Cal case worker to explore the implications of the withdrawals.

Do you know if I report the full ssi amount or what we keep after paying his medicare advantage plan premium payment? It is taken out of his check every month. Asking for my father with Alzheimer’s disease.

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

I believe Medi-Cal will adjust the income amount for a deduction related to the health insurance. However, in order not to confuse them, I would report the full amount and note the monthly premiums of the Medicare Advantage plan.

I filled out the application yesterday for (under 65) Medi-cal. It was still asking for asset information, such as bank account and savings accounts. Do you think when it comes time for my worker to review things, they will not ask for the statements?

@KevinKnauss

4 ай бұрын

If you are applying for MAGI Medi-Cal, under 65, there is no asset test. However, Medi-Cal screens for other programs that may still have income and resource limits. If you are only applying for MAGI Medi-Cal, they should not ask for statements.

@StarShineDesigns

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so very much!

Your asset limits for single and jt are incorrect for 2023. It's 130K for a single person not 65K.

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

You are hired as my new editor! You are correct. I rushed over the image and misspoke. Thank you for catching my error.

Does an inherited IRA with mandatory distribution count as income?

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

If the distributions must be reported on your federal tax return, then they would count as income.

Awsome explanations. So sad they would try to take ur property.

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Just to be clear, the Estate Recovery only happens after you die. If there is a surviving spouse or disabled dependent living in the primary residence, Medi-Cal won’t touch it.

@Bella_0303

5 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnaussis there another way to avoid estate being revised by medi cal if there are no surviving spouse, children under 21or disabled person?

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

I assume you are referring to Medi-Cal Estate Recovery. You may want to contact an attorney who specializes in irrevocable living trusts. @@Bella_0303

Hi Kelvin Knauss, please tell me before I apply for MedCal I and my husband are in California in an apartment. We have a house in another state, and account saving $500 to avoid the fee of bank. And income is under $28.208 What is the difference between applying Med Cal before selling the house and after selling it.

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

It depends on how hold you are. If you are under 65 years old and apply for MAGI Medi-Cal, selling a house will have little impact on eligibility. Medi-Cal doesn’t look at savings accounts for MAGI Medi-Cal. If you are over 65 and have Medicare, there may be little impact to Medi-Cal. However, the sale of the house could higher Part B premiums with the IRMAA, Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, where you are charged more for having a higher income. California does not consider your assets for Medicare Medi-Cal, but those assets (savings accounts) can be subject to Estate Recovery for certain Medi-Cal expenditures such as skilled nursing facilities.

@CP-qs8rl

2 ай бұрын

When applying medi Cal , how much is acceptable? I am 77 , and how about $135.000 for 1 and $193 .000 for 2 in saving? Thanks

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

@@CP-qs8rl You savings account are not considered in 2024 for Medi-Cal and Medicare. They are looking at your monthly income. The income is modified by certain deductions for health insurance coverage. The best course of action is to apply. You may be approved. But you will never know until you apply.

@CP-qs8rl

2 ай бұрын

Dear Kelvin , what are deductions? Medicare premiums, utilities bills, medicines, hospitals bills ? And what else? Thanks

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

@@CP-qs8rl health insurance for Original Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage premiums, Part D premiums, dental, vision, and then they have a percentage deduction depending on the type of income you have for living expenses.

I'm 49 yrs old and have MidiCal fullscope. Few months ago my husband passed away and I will receive life insurance money with a check. Is this considered as income?

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

A life insurance settlement would be considered a one-time lump sum distribution and not income for MAGI Medi-Cal.

what is the income limit to qualify to have medi-cal for a couple in 2024? Thank you.

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

$2,269 per month.

Is the income limit you post, per month or per year?

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Within the video, that is the monthly income allowable for 2023. Those amounts will increase in 2024 by 3 to 4 percent.

@donneone

5 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss Thank you.

I'm 58 on SSDI $1500 month and receive a pension of $492. I have Medicare and Medi-Cal and Section 8. I'm about to receive a substantial inheritance. How will that affect me? I receive Extra Help. How do I know if I'm MAGI or Non-Magi?? Medicare said the amount I'm going to inherit will affect my Medicare premium that Medi-Cal is currently paying on my behalf. My part b premium could go up to $560 per month! I am SO confused trying to piece all of this together with each agency because they all have different rules. Great video. Thank you!

@kathiestclair4234

2 ай бұрын

I should add that I don't file taxes because my SSDI is non-taxable

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

You have non-MAGI Medi-Cal. Through the Medicare Savings Program, you were determined eligible as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB). If you are QMB, Medi-Cal covers your Part B premium and the cost sharing of Original Medicare Part A and B such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, Medi-Cal will usually cover most, if not all, of the costs associated with the Medicare Advantage health care services. If the inheritance is a taxable event, it could affect your Part B premiums. Social Security will make that determination after you file your taxes. There are higher Part B premiums for individuals who have higher adjusted gross income amounts on their last filed income tax return. I believe there is an appeal process with Social Security where you can argue the increased income is a one-time event, such as from the sale of a home. The increase to your assets from the inheritance should not affect your Medi-Cal eligibility as assets are no longer considered. However, if the inheritance produces regular interest and dividends, that could affect your monthly income. If the monthly income increases, you could lose the QMB status. I’m not sure if Medi-Cal covers Income Related Monthly Adjusted to the Part B premium over the base amount. All you can do is supply the information they request. If an adverse decision occurs, such as loss of the extra help or higher Part B, you want to carefully review the reasons for the decisions. If they (Medi-Cal or Social Security) got it wrong, you want to appeal the decision.

Hello Kevin- is it true that medical recovery does not apply if you’re 55 years or younger? Thank you in advance

@KevinKnauss

5 ай бұрын

Estate Recovery will not apply in most situations you have outlined. However, I believe Estate Recovery can still be in play for other Medi-Cal situations such as if you in a skilled Nursing Facility and Medi-Cal is paying part of the monthly fees for the residential care.

@ladybug7453

5 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss thank you!

@becca22084

2 ай бұрын

Hi Kevin, my mom is 67 and covered under Medicare and Medi-cal. She is receiving $1300/month from social security and it is her only income because she is no longer working, will she still be eligible for Medi-Cal? She has to complete the renewal form soon. Thanks for your help and your great video.

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

@@becca22084 Medi-Cal will deduct certain dollar amounts from the income such as if the individual pays for dental or vision insurance, and other expenses. Those deductions should put her in the zone. If she is not Qualified Medicare Beneficiary level, she may only be Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary. At the SLIMB level, Medi-Cal covers the Part B premium, but not any cost sharing for health care services. However, there are lots of Medicare Advantage plans she can enroll in that really protect individuals with low to no cost health care services.

@becca22084

2 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss thank you so much

What about money you have in a bank.or like stocks mutual funds. Is there a limit.

@KevinKnauss

3 ай бұрын

According to the California Department of Health Care Services, assets such as stocks, mutual funds, and savings will not be considered in the eligibility determination. Those assets, however, are not exempt from the Medi-Cal Estate Recovery program when the beneficiary dies and may leave an estate.

@JP-pf1nj

3 ай бұрын

Thank you. Interesting...so then I guess it's based on solely on earned income..so is that adjusted gross.

@KevinKnauss

3 ай бұрын

The income calculations are a little more complicated depending on the individual. There are different calculations based on the type of income like schedule E property income. Even the county Medi-Cal case eligibility workers can get a little confused over how to treat some income that shows up on the federal tax return. All an individual can do is apply and see what the county Medi-Cal office determines. If you believe they have erred, you can file an appeal for a review. I have one client who did protest when the Medi-Cal eligibility was terminated. Another set of Medi-Cal workers reviewed the tax return and reinstated the Medi-Cal eligibility.@@JP-pf1nj

What if they’re disabled does their income still determine their eligibility?

@KevinKnauss

Ай бұрын

Income is an eligibility criteria regardless of assets. However, there are different programs that have different income conditions. Some programs allow disabled individuals to earn more money and still receive Medi-Cal assistance.

I'm going to have $1.7 million in IRA assets by the time I retire in 2030. The idea is that money is supposed to last me the rest of my life or about 20 years. I can't see how those assets would be expected to be drawn down until I'm destitute and homeless just because I need health insurance. But it sounds like Medi-Cal has an ace up their sleeve and will pick my carcass clean and leave nothing in my retirement accounts for my heirs.

@KevinKnauss

Ай бұрын

Beginning in 2024, Medicare beneficiaries will not have to spend down assets to get Medicare Savings Program extra help or to be eligible for home and community services or the skilled nursing facility waiver. Yes, the Estate Recovery program is still in effect. If Medi-Cal covers the cost of some of your health care services or living arrangements, those expenses will accrue and be subject to estate recovery. You can avoid estate recovery by spending your money on those services. In this manner, the state will have no claim on your estate.

medi-cal estate recovery should frighten everyone. apparently it only applies to things in probate? either way, really sketchy and a good reason to avoid medi-cal at all costs. it might actually make sense to just die without getting care, so one can leave something to their relatives after.

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

Estate recovery is pretty limited to services such as skilled nursing facilities and home and community based services. These are big ticket costs on the order of $5,000 per month, or more, by Medi-Cal on behalf of the beneficiary.

@naptime43x

2 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss ah, good to know! thank you. i was thinking if i went to get a flu shot they would want that money back at some point.

@KevinKnauss

2 ай бұрын

@@naptime43x You should be good. No one coming after your estate.

Yep bites i wss cut of onku 15 day notice .

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

This only applies to non-MAGI Medi-Cal. Not the Medi-Cal through Covered California.

@MsBlackfeet

6 ай бұрын

You mean the medical for like children .

@KevinKnauss

6 ай бұрын

Generally, children would fall under MAGI Medi-Cal and never be subject to any asset limitation. The caveat to that is if the children receive Supplement Security Income, then there are different rules. @@MsBlackfeet

@MsBlackfeet

5 ай бұрын

@@KevinKnauss oh ok I'm not on medical nor is my husband since he works .

@DeepestDream

5 ай бұрын

For the Dual Eligible Monthly Income Limits, does Social Security count as part of an elderly person’s income? If so, it would be a challenge to go under the $1,235 and $1,478 range for Medi-Cal. Thanks for the informative video!

What about 2025?

@KevinKnauss

4 ай бұрын

The current situation of no asset test seems to be permanent. The legislature could always change the rules, but that doesn’t look likely at the moment.