Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) is the primary public program that can help pay for long-term nursing home care.

With nursing home costs averaging $16,000 per month in California (2025), long-term care can quickly put real pressure on family savings.

Medi-Cal long-term care planning helps a person qualify, or maintain coverage, under Medi-Cal’s requirements - while protecting assets where the rules allow. It focuses on assets, income, and timing, and helps families avoid common missteps that can delay coverage or create problems mid-care.

Good planning can help preserve family assets where allowed, support eligibility for nursing home coverage, and reduce rushed decisions once a health event forces care - especially as Medi-Cal rules change again in 2026, bringing back asset limits that can affect eligibility.