Why would I need Medi-Cal as a senior if I never needed it during my working years?

As you age, the likelihood that you will need long-term care (LTC) increases with each passing year. The cost of that care may cause you to turn to Medi-Cal for help. As of 2016, the average cost of a month of LTC in California was over $9,000 and the average length of stay about 2.5 years. Neither Medicare nor most basic health insurance plans will pay for LTC expenses. Unless you can afford to pay out of pocket, that leaves Medi-Cal as your only option because Medi-Cal does pay for LTC.