California Considering Change To Limit Medi-Cal Estate Recovery To Long-Term Care Only

The California legislature is considering limiting the state’s Medicaid estate recovery policies to only long-term services and supports (LTSS) provided to beneficiaries age 55 and older. Currently, Medi-Cal seeks repayment from a deceased beneficiary’s estate for all Medicaid services received after age 55, but allows certain exemptions for estate assets transferred to a surviving spouse, minor child, adult child with disabilities, or a family caregiver.

The federal Medicaid program requires that the states seek recovery for the cost of institutional or community-based LTSS provided to beneficiaries age 55 and older, but has allowed the states . . .