198: California's Medi-Cal Asset Limit Returns in 2026—Are You Prepared?

Federal Medicaid cuts have dominated the news cycle, but there's a California-specific change that's barely getting attention—and it could blindside thousands of current Medi-Cal recipients. Starting again in 2026, the state is reinstating asset limits for Medi-Cal long-term care coverage, a requirement that was eliminated just two years ago. In this episode, estate planning attorney Kirsten Howe unpacks what this means if you or someone you love relies on elderly or disabled Medi-Cal benefits. She explains the $130,000 asset threshold, which assets remain exempt, and why your 2026 annual eligibility report could jeopardize your coverage. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:02 What's getting lost in the headlines: California's quiet asset limit reversal versus the federal Medicaid funding cuts everyone's talking about 1:56 Understanding MAGI Medi-Cal: the income-based coverage created under the Affordable Care Act for lower-income Californians 2:17 Why long-term care Medi-Cal is different—and why the returning asset test only affects elderly and disabled recipients 3:16 Back to strategic planning: what the 2026 deadline means for anyone hoping to qualify for Medi-Cal in the future 3:35 Kirsten walks through the exempt asset list—your home, vehicle, prepaid funeral arrangements, burial plot, small life insurance policies, and retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s 4:55 The annual report risk no one is discussing—how your 2026 eligibility filing could trigger a coverage loss 5:36 You qualified then, but will you now? Why meeting past requirements won't protect current Medi-Cal recipients under the new rules Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to

You can listen to 198: California's Medi-Cal Asset Limit Returns in 2026—Are You Prepared? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

198: California's Medi-Cal Asset Limit Returns in 2026—Are You Prepared? is an episode from Absolute Trust Talk by Kirsten Howe.

This episode is 07:21 long.

This episode was published on Jan 7, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Absolute Trust Talk when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.