Medi-Cal Board and Care Deduction

Using the Board & Care Deduction to Reduce or Eliminate Share of Cost

Medi-Cal share of cost may be too high for many low to middle income residents of Assisted Living facilities. A special “Board and Care Deduction,” may help reduce or eliminate their share of cost.

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), sometimes called Assisted Living, or Board and Care, are not licensed as medical facilities, and are usually paid privately as they are not funded by Medicare or Medi-Cal. Many individuals who live in RCFEs could benefit from Medi-Cal to pay for doctors’ visits, copays, medical equipment, or medications, but they might be stuck with a large share of cost if they make more than the income limit for no cost Medi-Cal.

While persons on SSI/SSP or who make less than 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for Medi–Cal benefits at no cost, an individual making more than the limit would normally have to pay a large share of cost, leaving them only about $600 for their living expenses. RCFE residents may be able to use the Board and Care Deduction to help them qualify for no or low share of cost Medi-Cal.