Short answer: Long-term care policies certified by the California Partnership for Long-Term Care include lifetime asset protection: for every dollar the policy pays in benefits, you can keep a dollar of assets if you later apply for Medi-Cal. Only state-approved insurers sell them, through licensed agents who have completed special state-required training.
How the asset protection works
According to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), a Partnership policy pays for care like other quality long-term care policies. The difference: each dollar it pays out in benefits entitles you to keep a dollar of your assets if you ever need to apply for Medi-Cal. You may still have to apply part of your income toward the cost of care, but the protected assets remain yours, for you and your spouse or to leave to your heirs.
What every Partnership policy includes
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Automatic inflation protection | Benefits grow to keep pace with care costs |
| One-time lifetime deductible | You satisfy the deductible once |
| Care coordination | Help planning and arranging services |
| Premium waiver | No premiums while you receive care in a nursing home or residential care facility |
| Interchangeable benefits | Benefits can be used across covered types of care |
Policies come as facility-only or comprehensive (home, community, residential care and nursing home), with coverage periods you choose, per DHCS.
Who sells them
DHCS says Partnership policies may be sold only by insurers that meet the state's standards, and only by licensed insurance professionals who have completed special state-required training.
Checklist
- Decide how much in assets you want to protect. Your benefit amount drives the protection.
- Ask whether a quote is Partnership-certified. Not every long-term care policy is.
- Compare comprehensive and facility-only options.
- Check current Medi-Cal eligibility rules with DHCS, since they can change.
Related: long-term care insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the California Partnership for Long-Term Care?
A state program that certifies private long-term care insurance policies with lifetime asset protection when you later apply for Medi-Cal.
How does dollar-for-dollar asset protection work?
For every dollar a Partnership policy pays in benefits, you can keep a dollar of assets if you apply for Medi-Cal, according to DHCS.
Do I still contribute income toward care under Medi-Cal?
You may have to apply part of your income to the cost of care, but the protected assets remain yours.
Can any agent sell a Partnership policy?
No. Only state-approved insurers sell them, through licensed agents who have completed special state-required training.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. Not legal, tax or financial advice, and not a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.