Medicaid Planning for Long-Term Care: California Style

California's Medicaid program, "Medi-Cal", differs significantly from programs in other states. This article sets out the major distinctions between California's program and other state programs as applied to long term care for disabled seniors. It illustrates the major planning techniques that are employed throughout the country and also those techniques that are available only in California. Medicaid is the means tested, cooperative state and federal program that pays for much of the nursing home and other long term care in the United States.

California's uneven implementation of federal legislation regulating Medicaid over the last several decades has created many challenges and opportunities for disabled seniors that are specific to the Golden State. In presenting these challenges and opportunities, the article guides the reader through eligibility procedures and the long-term care planning process, delineates vital considerations for practitioners and their clients, and addresses important developments on the horizon.