Yes, there are provisions for a healthy spouse that can still live independently. This person would be referred to as the “community spouse” for Medi-Cal terms.
First, there is no limit on home equity, and the independent spouse would be entitled to a Community Spouse Resource Allowance. This is equal to half of the shared assets that are considered to be countable, but there is a limit.
Once again, it is adjusted annually to account for inflation, but you can use a figure of around $130,000 as a general rule of thumb. There is also a minimum allowance that is about 20% of the maximum.
The Medi-Cal program will absorb almost all of the income that is brought in by a person that is using the program to pay for long-term care, but there is one exception. When a healthy spouse is relying on the income, they may be entitled to a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance.
This would allow the community spouse to continue to receive income that is earmarked for the institutionalized spouse.