Updated Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Southern California Wildfires

The widespread devastation across Los Angeles is heartbreaking, and CANHR is concerned about the many older adults impacted by this disaster who were evacuated from nursing homes or assisted living facilities, or who were living independently but now need help returning home. Please CLICK HERE for answers related to issues affecting Skilled Nursing Facility residents, Residential Care for the Elderly(RCFE)/Assisted Living Residents, and Medi-Cal Beneficiaries.

Updated Thursday, January 16th, 2025

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MEDI-CAL RECOVERY

If a Medi-Cal beneficiary is 55 or older and goes into a skilled nursing home or uses skilled nursing services at home, the state may try to be reimbursed for services provided after their death. Thanks to changes in the law in 2017, Medi-Cal recovery is now very limited, and there are steps you can take to protect your home and your assets from Recovery.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MEDI-CAL RECOVERY

• Recovery does not happen during your lifetime, only after death. If there is nothing left in the name of the person who used Medi-Cal, there can be no Recovery. The State cannot seek Recovery from your children’s own assets.
• If there are assets such as a home left after you die, there is no Recovery if your assets do not go to probate, a court process that your heirs may have to follow in order to inherit your property. Probate can be avoided through estate planning strategies including living trusts, joint tenancies, pay on death accounts, and life estates.
• There is no recovery on mobile homes, or if there is a surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, a surviving child under 21 years old or a disabled child of any age.
• Most Medi-Cal services, including doctors visits, medications, or In Home Support Services (IHSS), will not cause Recovery. The only services which could create Recovery are skilled nursing level services in a facility or in some home-based programs.

See our FACT SHEET for more information about Medi-Cal and Recovery. For further questions, you can call us at 1-800-474-1116.

Updated Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

CANHR’s Lawyer Referral Service

Need an attorney? CANHR’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is the only statewide referral service that deals primarily with elder law issues.

Updated Friday, January 5th, 2024

New Developments

• 2-Part Series on Challenges to Finding Long Term Care
• Study Bemoans Nursing Home Lockouts Meant to Prevent COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
• Concerns Emerge After Eaton Fire Causes Long Term Care Facility Evacuations
• Act Now to Stop Cuts to Medicaid and the Nursing Home Safe Staffing Rule

Updated Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Hospital Discharge Decisions

Short hospital stays can be stressful for patients and families who often have to make quick discharge decisions under pressure. Learn more about your rights during the discharge process from CANHR’s Hospital Discharge Fact Sheet.