Are Medi-Cal and L.A. Care the same?
Asked by: Garrett Carroll | Last update: October 15, 2025Score: 5/5 (4 votes)
How do I switch from L.A. Care to Medi-Cal?
You can leave L.A. Care and join another health plan in your county of residence at any time. To choose a new plan, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY: 1-800-430-7077 or 711). You can call between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
What are the two types of Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is health coverage for low-income children and adults. There are two kinds of Medi-Cal, the expanded Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) coverage and classic coverage. Some Medi-Cal programs have a Share of Cost, but most do not.
What kind of insurance is a L.A. Care Health Plan?
L.A. Care offers a Medi-Cal plan built with our community in mind. Medi-Cal is a public health care program for those with limited income. This free or low-cost public health insurance program pays for medical services for eligible California residents.
What is Medi-Cal called now?
California offers two ways to get health coverage. They are “Medi-Cal” and “Covered California.” Both programs use the same application. What Is Medi-Cal? Medi-Cal is California's version of the Federal Medicaid program.
L.A. Care Health Plan Discusses Medi-Cal Redeterminations
Is L.A. Care the same as Medi-Cal?
L.A. Care is the health plan for Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County.
Why does no one accept Medi-Cal?
The most frequent reasons physicians limit Medi-Cal patients in their practices are payment rates and administrative hassles.
Is L.A. Care only for low-income?
The Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care) is a public agency that provides health insurance for low-income individuals in Los Angeles County through four health coverage programs including Medi-Cal.
Why is L.A. insurance so expensive?
There are many reasons why car insurance in Los Angeles is expensive, including the high number of cars on the road, population density and car accident and theft rates. Minimum-coverage car insurance in LA costs 49% more than the California average and 33% more than the national average.
What is the best Medi-Cal health plan in California?
Kaiser Permanente is also the only Medicare health plan in California to receive a 5-star rating, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2023 Medicare Star Ratings.
What disqualifies you from Medi-Cal?
To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability. Be working and earning income (this can be part-time work). Have countable income less than 250% of the federal poverty level (in 2024, this equates to $3,158/mo.
What is the disadvantage of Medi-Cal?
The perception that Medi-Cal offered poorer coverage or less respectful treatment than other types of insurance. Concerns among noncitizen respondents that applying for Medi-Cal might affect their immigration status.
How do I know what kind of Medi-Cal I have?
Contact your local county social services office to learn about your Medi-Cal status and eligibility. The California Department of Health Care Services has a full directory of each county's agency.
Which is better, L.A. Care or Health Net?
You'll notice that LA Care is generally one of the lowest 1-2 carriers listed at each benefit level. For many people, it's a function of being able to afford their health insurance at all! Health net is generally a notch or two above LA Care for HMO. But very close.
Can I get Kaiser with Medi-Cal?
The California Medi-Cal program provides health care coverage for some of the most vulnerable populations in the state and Kaiser Permanente participates in the Medi-Cal program to provide high quality care to enrolled beneficiaries in most counties currently served by the health plan.
Does L.A. Care automatically renew?
If you have no changes, renewal is automatic.
L.A. Care will mail you a notice about your renewal in the last half of October. Covered California™ will mail you the same type of notice.
What is the cheapest insurance in California?
Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage in California, with an average rate of $243 per year according to NerdWallet's January 2025 analysis.
What is the most expensive health insurance in California?
The most expensive health insurance in California is a platinum plan for an elderly adult, with an average monthly rate of $1982.
What does Medi-Cal not cover?
Restricted scope Medi-Cal covers limited services. It does not cover medicine or primary care. If you have pregnancy-related limited scope Medi-Cal, you will have the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits, if the service is medically necessary.
What is the Medi-Cal income limit?
You are 19-64 years old and your family's income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($21,597 for an individual; $44,367 for a family of four). You are a child 18 or younger and your family's income is at or below 266% of FPL ($85,519 per year for a family of four).
How good is a L.A. Care Health Plan?
L.A. Care Health Plan is the highest-rated Medi-Cal managed care plan in Los Angeles County, as shown by the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2019–2020.
Do most doctors accept Medi-Cal?
Do All Doctors Have to Accept Medi-Cal? Not necessarily. Doctors can refuse to take Medi-Cal patients. Before receiving treatment, check whether the provider accepts Medi-Cal Fee-For-Service payments to avoid having to pay out of pocket.
How many months can you go without health insurance in California?
As a California resident, you should carry insurance throughout the year with no gaps in coverage of 90 days or more. Otherwise, you may face a tax penalty when you file your tax return. There are some exemptions to California's penalty, which we'll discuss later.
How often should I renew my Medi-Cal?
Local Medi-Cal offices review each member's eligibility once a year or when they report changes to their household. Everyone's renewal date is different.