Medi-Cal look-back · Free to upload
Medi-Cal look-back: list a parent's transfers since January 1, 2026
Some Medi-Cal programs started counting assets again on January 1, 2026. For nursing-home Medi-Cal coverage, a look-back reviews past asset transfers and can reach back up to 30 months. For new long-term-care requests from July 1, 2026 onward, the look-back excludes transfers before January 1, 2026. LedgerLens lists the money that left a parent's account since then.
Medi-Cal dates from DHCS's Asset Limit FAQ and county guidance. Last checked . Sources
Free to start. No bank login.
- Money out since Jan 1, 2026
- One Excel list
What changed on January 1, 2026
From the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS):
- From January 1, 2026, some Medi-Cal programs for older people, people with disabilities and people needing nursing-home care started counting assets again.
- For nursing-home Medi-Cal coverage, a look-back reviews past asset transfers and can reach back up to 30 months.
- For new long-term-care requests from July 1, 2026 onward, the look-back excludes transfers before January 1, 2026. Certain transfers may delay Medi-Cal payment for nursing-home care.
- DHCS says that for most people, giving away or selling assets won't affect Medi-Cal. The look-back matters for people in a nursing home or who may need long-term care.
How many months does Medi-Cal look back?
The look-back grows by one month each month, so find the month long-term care is requested to see which months are reviewed for transfers.
| Month care is requested | Months reviewed for transfers | Number of months |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | January 2026 to June 2026 | 6 |
| August 2026 | January 2026 to July 2026 | 7 |
| September 2026 | January 2026 to August 2026 | 8 |
| October 2026 | January 2026 to September 2026 | 9 |
| November 2026 | January 2026 to October 2026 | 10 |
| December 2026 | January 2026 to November 2026 | 11 |
| January 2027 | January 2026 to December 2026 | 12 |
| February 2027 | January 2026 to January 2027 | 13 |
| March 2027 | January 2026 to February 2027 | 14 |
| April 2027 | January 2026 to March 2027 | 15 |
| May 2027 | January 2026 to April 2027 | 16 |
| June 2027 | January 2026 to May 2027 | 17 |
| July 2027 | January 2026 to June 2027 | 18 |
| August 2027 | January 2026 to July 2027 | 19 |
| September 2027 | January 2026 to August 2027 | 20 |
| October 2027 | January 2026 to September 2027 | 21 |
| November 2027 | January 2026 to October 2027 | 22 |
| December 2027 | January 2026 to November 2027 | 23 |
| January 2028 | January 2026 to December 2027 | 24 |
| February 2028 | January 2026 to January 2028 | 25 |
| March 2028 | January 2026 to February 2028 | 26 |
| April 2028 | January 2026 to March 2028 | 27 |
| May 2028 | January 2026 to April 2028 | 28 |
| June 2028 | January 2026 to May 2028 | 29 |
| July 2028 | January 2026 to June 2028 | 30 |
Make the list in four steps
- Upload your parent's bank statements from January 2026 on. PDF, CSV, Excel, OFX, QFX, QBO and photos all work.
- Open Statement list and choose Medi-Cal look-back. It shows all money out since January 1, 2026: transfers, checks, cash withdrawals and payments.
- Read down the list. Narrow it to transfers or cash, or to amounts over a number you choose. Add a note to any line, like "rent" or "gift to grandson."
- Download the Excel file. Take it to your county Medi-Cal office or an elder-law lawyer.
What the list shows
One row per item that left the account, in date order.
- Date
- Description from the statement, such as the transfer or payee
- Amount
- Category, such as Transfer or Cash
- Your notes
If you're helping a parent
You can only list statements you have. If your parent's bank statements are online, you or your parent can download them as PDFs. LedgerLens never asks for a bank login.
Start your parent's list
Create a free account and upload the statements. You'll see the list before you pay anything.
Free to start. No bank login.
Making the list is free on Starter. Downloading it as an Excel file needs Plus: $12 a month or $120 a year.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the Medi-Cal look-back?
For nursing-home Medi-Cal coverage, a look-back reviews past asset transfers and can reach back up to 30 months. For new long-term-care requests from July 1, 2026 onward, the look-back excludes transfers before January 1, 2026. Certain transfers may delay Medi-Cal payment for nursing-home care. Read the DHCS Asset Limit FAQ.
How many months does the look-back cover right now?
Fewer than 30 for now. From July 2026, the months reviewed start at January 2026 and grow by one each month. A request in October 2026 reviews January through September 2026. Requests from July 2028 get the full 30 months. Read the DHCS guidance to counties.
Why does the list start on January 1, 2026?
The list starts on January 1, 2026 to help you gather records for the current look-back rules. The dates reviewed in your parent's case depend on the program and when long-term care is requested.
Why does the list show every payment, not just transfers?
A transfer to family can look like any other payment on a statement. Starting with all money out means nothing is hidden by how a line was sorted. You can narrow the list to transfers or cash whenever you like.
Can I add a note to explain a payment?
Yes. Open any line and add a note, such as "rent to Mom's landlord" or "car repair." Notes are on the Excel list you download.
Is it free to make the list?
Yes. Uploading statements and reading the list costs nothing. Downloading the list as an Excel file needs a paid plan. See plans and prices.
Does this work for families in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties?
Yes. The look-back is a statewide Medi-Cal rule, so it applies in every California county. Your county Medi-Cal office handles your parent's case.
Sources
The Medi-Cal information comes from DHCS's Asset Limit FAQ and guidance to county offices. Links below let you check the sources.
- DHCS, Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions: "When did Medi-Cal start counting my assets?"
- DHCS, Asset Limit FAQ: "Will giving away assets affect my Medi-Cal?"
- DHCS, Asset Limit FAQ: "What if I transfer assets and need long-term care?"
- DHCS, All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-18 (October 9, 2025): transfers of assets for long-term care Medi-Cal. The month-by-month review chart is on pages 4 and 5.
- DHCS, All County Welfare Directors Letter 26-16 (September 17, 2026): asset limits for the Pickle, Disabled Adult Child and Disabled Widow/er programs
- DHCS, Find a county Medi-Cal office
Checked against the DHCS pages on October 9, 2026. LedgerLens (ledgerlens.com) is a bank-statement review web app from Edukas Solutions LLC, a California company.
Related
- Settling a parent's estate?Turn estate account statements into one list
- Have statements as PDFs?Turn bank statement PDFs into a list
LedgerLens lists transactions from the statements you upload. It isn't legal or benefits advice. It doesn't decide which items count as transfers or gifts, whether a penalty applies, or whether anyone qualifies for Medi-Cal. Your county Medi-Cal office reviews your case under DHCS rules; a lawyer can advise you. Check the list against the original statements before relying on it.