In the state of California, Medicaid is known as Medi-Cal. It is a health insurance program that provides coverage to low-income individuals, families, and people with disabilities. Medi-Cal is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services. The program covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Medi-Cal also provides coverage for long-term care services, such as nursing home care and home health care.
Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid Program
Medi-Cal is the Medicaid program in California that provides health coverage to low-income individuals, families, and children. Medi-Cal is funded by both the state and federal governments, and it is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
Who is Eligible for Medi-Cal?
- Low-income individuals and families
- Pregnant women
- Children under the age of 19
- Seniors over the age of 65
- People with disabilities
- People with certain medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS
How Do I Apply for Medi-Cal?
- You can apply for Medi-Cal online, by mail, or in person at your local county social services office.
- You will need to provide proof of your income, assets, and residency.
- You may also be required to provide proof of your citizenship or immigration status.
What Services Does Medi-Cal Cover?
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Long-term care
- Vision care
- Dental care
How Much Does Medi-Cal Cost?
Medi-Cal is free for most people. If you have a higher income, you may be required to pay a small monthly premium.
How Do I Find a Medi-Cal Provider?
- You can find a Medi-Cal provider by searching the DHCS website or by calling the Medi-Cal helpline at 1-800-541-5555.
- You can also ask your doctor or other health care provider if they accept Medi-Cal.
| Eligibility Criteria | Covered Services | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Low-income individuals and families | Doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, long-term care, vision care, dental care | Free for most people |
Covered Services and Providers
Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, offers a wide range of health care services and benefits to eligible individuals. Some of the covered services include:
- Doctor visits and specialist care
- Hospital stays
- Emergency services
- Mental health care
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Long-term care services
- Prescription drug coverage
Additionally, Medi-Cal provides a comprehensive network of providers that offer high-quality care to its members. These providers include:
- Physicians
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Mental health care providers
- Substance use disorder treatment providers
- Dental providers
- Vision care providers
- Long-term care providers
- Pharmacies
Medi-Cal provides vital health care services to millions of Californians. The program’s comprehensive coverage and network of providers ensure that members can access the care they need to stay healthy and live full and productive lives.
| Service | Provider |
|---|---|
| Doctor visits and specialist care | Physicians |
| Hospital stays | Hospitals |
| Emergency services | Hospitals, clinics |
| Mental health care | Mental health care providers |
| Substance use disorder treatment | Substance use disorder treatment providers |
| Dental care | Dental providers |
| Vision care | Vision care providers |
| Long-term care services | Nursing homes, long-term care providers |
| Prescription drug coverage | Pharmacies |
Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid Program
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families. It’s jointly funded by the state and federal governments.
Eligibility for Medi-Cal
- Income and Asset Limits: Medi-Cal has income and asset limits to determine eligibility. In general, individuals and families with incomes below a certain level can qualify.
- Age and Disability: Children, pregnant women, seniors (65+), and individuals with disabilities may also qualify for Medi-Cal, regardless of income.
- Citizenship and Residency: U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens who meet residency requirements may be eligible for Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal Coverage
Medi-Cal provides comprehensive health coverage, including:
- Doctor visits and specialist care
- Hospitalization
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance use disorder treatment
- Dental and vision care
- Long-term care services
How to Apply for Medi-Cal
To apply for Medi-Cal, individuals can:
- Apply online through the state’s Medi-Cal website.
- Contact their local county social services office.
- Call the Medi-Cal Enrollment Center at 1-800-300-1506.
Applicants will need to provide information such as their income, assets, and household size.
Medi-Cal Costs
Medi-Cal is typically free or low-cost for eligible individuals.
For those with higher incomes, there may be a small monthly premium or copayment for certain services.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit | Free or low-cost |
| Hospital stay | Free or low-cost |
| Prescription drugs | Free or low-cost, with a small copayment for some drugs |
| Mental health services | Free or low-cost |
| Dental care | Free or low-cost, with a small copayment for some services |
| Vision care | Free or low-cost, with a small copayment for some services |
If you have questions about Medi-Cal, you can visit the state’s Medi-Cal website, contact your local county social services office, or call the Medi-Cal Enrollment Center at 1-800-300-1506.
Medi-Cal in California
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families. It is a joint program between the state and federal governments, with the federal government providing funding and the state administering the program. Medi-Cal covers a wide range of health services, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, and mental health services.
How to Apply for Medi-Cal
To apply for Medi-Cal, you can either apply online or by submitting a paper application. You will need to provide information about your income, assets, and household size. You can also apply for Medi-Cal through a county social services office or a local community health center. Once you have applied, you will be notified of your eligibility within 45 days.
Here are the steps on how to apply for Medi-Cal:
- Determine if you are eligible. You can use the Medi-Cal Eligibility Estimator tool to see if you qualify.
- Gather the required documents. Visit the Medi-Cal website to see the necessary documents.
- Apply online or by mail. Visit the Medi-Cal Application Portal or print and mail the application.
- Submit your application. Once you have completed the application, submit it to the nearest county office or mail it to the address provided.
- Wait for a response. You should receive a response within 30 days.
If you are approved for Medi-Cal, you will receive a Medi-Cal card in the mail. This card will allow you to access covered health services. You can use your Medi-Cal card to see a doctor, fill prescriptions, and get other medical care.
Covered Services
Medi-Cal covers a wide range of health services, including:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Hearing aids
- Nursing home care
Medi-Cal also covers some long-term care services, such as home health care and assisted living.
Costs
Medi-Cal is a free or low-cost health insurance program. If you are eligible for Medi-Cal, you will not have to pay a premium or a deductible. However, you may have to pay a small copayment for some services.
Service Copayment Doctor visit $0 Hospital stay $0 Prescription drugs $0 to $5 Mental health services $0 Dental care $0 to $5 Vision care $0 to $5 Hearing aids $0 Nursing home care $0 to $130 per day Well, there you have it, folks! Now you know what Medicaid is called in California and a little bit about how it works. Thanks for sticking with me until the end. If you have any more questions about Medicaid or other healthcare programs, be sure to check out my blog for more informative articles. And don’t forget to stop by again soon for more interesting and helpful reads. Take care and stay healthy!