What is Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. It serves seniors, persons with disabilities, and other low-income individuals.
The program offers free or low-cost health coverage for California residents who meet certain requirements.
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How much does it cost?
For many people enrolled in Medi-Cal, there are no premiums, no co-payments, and no out of pocket costs. Some will have a low monthly premium.
When can I enroll?
Medi-Cal enrollment is open all year. Apply at www.coveredca.com for an Individual or Family plan.
When you submit a Covered California application, it will automatically be reviewed for Medi-Cal eligibility.
Covered California is a new website by the State of California. It’s where you may get financial help to make health coverage more affordable.
You can compare and choose health care plans that fit your needs and budget. Your coverage can’t be dropped or denied even if you have pre-existing medical conditions or get sick.
Is the coverage good?
The health plans offered by Covered California and Medi-Cal include the same full set of benefits, but Medi-Cal is usually at lower or no cost.
You can preview plans and benefits here. In a recent survey of Medi-Cal members, 90% of the members who answered rated Medi-Cal as a good or very good program.
What if I don’t qualify?
Even if you don’t qualify for Medi-Cal coverage, you may be eligible for a Covered California health plan.
Open enrollment begins in October for those plans, but you might be able to enroll now if you’ve had big life changes or lost your insurance recently.
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What health plans are offered?
Your options depend on where you live. Medi-Cal offers 22 health plans.
Every county’s Medi-Cal plans provide the same high quality care to Californians at low or no cost, no matter where you live.
Most counties offer plans from big companies, including Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, Health Net, and Molina, as well as local not-for-profit health plans.
Find the plans for your county in the online directory of Medi-Cal health plans.
Can I stay with my doctor?
Many Medi-Cal members say that it’s easy to find a local primary care doctor. Search for a Medi-Cal doctor or hospital online.
I applied before and didn’t qualify. Should I apply again?
Yes. You could now be eligible for Medi-Cal.
The Affordable Care Act made the financial requirements for Medi-Cal simpler. Now, “property,” like a car, isn’t counted anymore.
Try again by applying through Covered California for health coverage even if you didn’t qualify before and even if your financial situation hasn’t changed.
If I sign up for Medi-Cal, will anything happen to my assets after I die?
For people 55 or older who used Medi-Cal coverage to pay for healthcare expenses, Medi-Cal may require the deceased’s estate or any recipient of the estate to pay the costs of care back.
Learn more about the Estate Recovery program.
Next Step Apply for Medi-Cal at CoveredCA.com
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Source: CA Dept. of Health Care Services
Image: Ken’s Project Blog
