California guide

Long-term care rules in California

Start with the state's coverage, eligibility, and care-setting questions.

California calls its Medicaid program Medi-Cal. The rules differ according to the program, the person's circumstances, and the date. Choose the question that fits your family member's situation.

One date to keep in viewJuly 1, 2027

DHCS says the general asset limit for affected Medi-Cal groups changes on this date. Today's limit still applies until then.

See what changes

Nine distinct guides

What do you need to figure out?

Choose the guide that fits the question your family has now.

01Money and eligibilityCurrent asset limitThe current Medi-Cal asset limit for one person, who it affects, and why a married applicant may need a different answer.02Money and eligibilityJuly 2027 changeDHCS's published July 2027 Medi-Cal asset-limit change, with the current rule and important spouse qualifications kept in view.03Money and eligibilityAssets that countA plain-language guide to the property DHCS says may count or be excluded under California's Medi-Cal asset test.04Home and familyThe home and Medi-CalWhen DHCS says a home is excluded from the Medi-Cal asset test, and why estate recovery is a separate question.05Home and familyMarried-applicant rulesWhy a couple may need California's spousal-impoverishment rules instead of the general asset figure alone.06Applying and coverageRenewing Medi-CalWhen some Medi-Cal members need to report assets at annual renewal, with a note for existing married long-term-care cases.07Applying and coverageNursing-home coverageHow Medi-Cal long-term nursing-facility coverage is arranged and what families should ask about eligibility and care approval.08Money and eligibilityTransfers and look-backCalifornia's 30-month look-back for certain transfers before nursing-facility care and why families should check before giving property away.09Home and familyEstate recoveryWhen California may seek repayment from a deceased Medi-Cal member's estate and why that differs from eligibility while living.

Read a number in context

Check the date and your family situation

See when a figure applies and which spouse or care-setting rules may change it.

The asset test applies to certain Medi-Cal groups. DHCS also publishes special rules for a spouse living at home and for some nursing-home cases. Each guide links to the relevant source and shows when it was checked.

Read about married-applicant rules

Official help

Go to the state source

Open the agency guidance and find its official next step.

Open DHCS Medi-Cal Help