Reuters reports that throughout most of California, the costs of long term care are rising faster than inflation, with the median annual cost for a private nursing home room here in San Diego coming to $86,688 (or about $237.50 a day).  Judging by these numbers, your savings can quickly run out and your assets can soon be depleted when paying for long term care and medical expenses.  You can act to help prevent these possible consequences with Medi-cal planning.  Among other things, the Medi-cal program, with its joint federal and state funding, provides need-based help to persons who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled, through payment for long term medical care in a skilled nursing home.  Proper planning seeks to qualify applicants for government Medi-cal benefits by adjusting to meet eligibility requirements, while also protecting income and assets as permitted under California law.  (more…)