They came into my office with a simple but urgent question:
“What happens when our Long-Term Care insurance runs out?”
Her husband has Alzheimer’s and needs Memory Care. He’s no longer safe at home. They had just placed him in a facility costing $8,000 a month—with the cost expected to increase as his needs grow. Their policy would only last another 2½ years.
The facility had told them that once the funds ran out, Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program would help cover the costs. Unfortunately, this is a common misunderstanding.
What many facilities don’t realize is how limited the ALW program really is. There are roughly 15,000 total spots in the entire state. And qualification requires very low income. There is also a CalAIM-based program, but that may be cut entirely in upcoming budget changes.
So we got to work.
My Care Navigator helped them find another Memory Care facility that met all his needs at $5,000/month, with only modest increases for additional care. That alone stretches their Long-Term Care policy significantly—buying them almost five full years of care.
Just as important, my Care Navigator will track their policy, monitor care needs, and prepare them for what happens when the money runs out. About six months before that point, we’ll create a strategy for qualifying for the right Medi-Cal programs—whatever those may be at that time.
This is exactly what Care Navigation Services are for—so that you’re not left scrambling when the coverage ends.
If you’re caring for a spouse or loved one with a degenerative condition like Alzheimer’s, and want a long-term plan that adapts with your needs and budget, give me a call. You don’t have to do this alone.
