Glossary term
Medi-Cal
California's Medicaid program. Primary public payer for long-term services and supports for low-income seniors, including IHSS, CBAS, nursing-home care, and the Assisted Living Waiver.
Medi-Cal is the public payer that actually covers long-term care in California, which is the opposite of what most families assume Medicare does. California removed the Medi-Cal asset limit for these programs in 2024, then reinstated it on January 1, 2026: a single applicant can keep up to $130,000 in countable assets, a couple up to $195,000, with the home and one vehicle exempt. Eligibility now turns on both assets and income, plus any resulting Share of Cost.
Related terms