California-Specific Agencies and Programs
What is Medi-Cal estate recovery and will it affect me?
Short answer
California's Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program recovers costs paid for long-term care services (nursing home, in-home supportive services) from the estates of beneficiaries who were 55 or older when they received those services. The claim is against the estate — not surviving family…
What this usually means
California's Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program recovers costs paid for long-term care services (nursing home, in-home supportive services) from the estates of beneficiaries who were 55 or older when they received those services. The claim is against the estate — not surviving family personally. A surviving spouse living in the home is protected while they live there. Contact the California Department of Health Care Services for details.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.
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