A frequently asked question: "Ellis, how do you know if there will be a Medi-cal claim & how much it is prior to buying out the rights of an heir?" The form used to inquire about this info is from the Department of Health Care Services, DHCS Form 4017 is used to request the amount of Medi-Cal expenses that may be subject to estate recovery. DHCS says an eligible Medi-Cal member or their authorized representative can make this request once per calendar year, generally with a $5 processing fee. For a deceased person, make the request ONLY if you have a defensible authority basis, such as: • Court-appointed personal representative, if one already exists. • Trustee or successor trustee, if a trust gives that authority. • Attorney-in-fact acting under a valid authority that survived for the relevant purpose, though ordinary powers of attorney generally end at death, so do not rely on this without counsel. • Person legally authorized to handle the decedent’s affairs, with the death certificate and supporting authority documents. • The decedent’s attorney, with appropriate authorization and proof of representation. If you are merely a prospective purchaser, investor, or a non-appointed heir, DHCS may decline to disclose protected claims information directly to you.