Must my mom spend her own savings on Stepdad's medical care before he can qualify for Medicaid?

Thanks for your responses. I had never heard of Hybrid Long-Term Care insurance, which is tied with a life insurance policy. I googled it and took notes and will pass them on to my mom. WorriedinCali is likely right that it's highly unlikely that any company would be willing to underwrite a policy for an 88-year-old woman with Parkinsonism. (She was previously diagnosed with Parkinson's.) Mom's savings would last about a year if she had to self-pay for LTC in California (estimated around $127,000), so the premium would probably be out of her reach anyway. She is using her savings to pay for part-time, in-home caregiving, so that money is already on the way out.

I didn't realize that an elder law attorney would be of use in this case. I figured Medical would be cut & dry.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

She'd be buying it for herself. That's what she's keeping the money for anyway. And no she may not ever get to use it, but that's true - the desired outcome, even, when you think it through - of almost all insurance products. You don't buy travel insurance in the hope that you will break your leg and ruin your vacation.

Its really not necessary for an elder in their 80’s in this state to buy a hybrid LTC policy. It would be a waste of time and at that age it’s highly possible no one will be willing to underwrite a policy for them and if they are, it will be extremely expensive. OPs mother is 88 so yeah.....LTC insurance ship has sailed on by.

It doesn’t matter how the deed was worded. Because they are married most assets are considered joint assets (by medi-cal)even if your dads name isn’t on the them. your mom won’t have to spend all her money on your step dads bills/his care, but some of it will probably have to be spent on him. Medi-cal does not leave spouses impoverished. Their assets may be have to be split because Medicaid will
only let her keep up to a certain amount-$128,000 in your parents state (California).

This is a question for Medicaid. Since its in her name only and he was never on the deed, I would say no. With Medicaid its a case by case thing. If Dad is running out of money, I would apply for Medicaid at this point.