Can I get Covered CA instead of Medi-Cal?
Asked by: Miss Alysha Koepp | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (7 votes)
Can I choose Covered California instead of Medi-Cal?
Health plans available through Medi-Cal and Covered California both offer a similar set of important benefits, called essential health benefits. You can apply for both programs at the same time when you use our single application.
How do I transition from Medi-Cal to Covered California?
By phone: Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 (TTY: (888) 889-4500). You can call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free! By fax: Fax your application to (888) 329-3700.
Can I have both Medi-Cal and Covered California?
You can also call your local county office. Did you know? It is possible for members of the same family to qualify for both Medi-Cal and Covered California.
Who is not eligible for Covered California?
Who is Not Eligible for Covered California? If you are not lawfully present in California, you are not eligible for a Covered California plan. However, you can still apply through Covered California to find out if you are eligible for Medi-Cal or to find coverage for family members who are lawfully present.
Differences Between Covered California, Health Insurance Companies and Medi-Cal
What are the requirements for Covered California?
- You must be a California resident.
- You cannot be enrolled in Medicare or have employer-sponsored health care.
- You must be a lawfully present immigrant.
What income is too high for Covered California?
In 2024, an individual in a one-person household is eligible for some degree of Covered California subsidies if they earn up to $33,975 Meanwhile, that limit rises to $69,375 for a household size of 4. These numbers refer to your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as found on line 11 of your Form 1040.
How much does Covered California cost per month?
Apply for health insurance by Jan. 31 — and pay as little as $10 per month if you qualify. How many need coverage? Your Estimate $63 per month for a Silver plan. Bronze as low as $0.
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.
Can I keep Covered California instead of Medicare?
You will no longer be eligible to receive financial assistance and your monthly premium and out-of-pocket cost may go up by a lot. However, if you have to pay a premium for Part A, you may keep your Covered California plan and receive financial help if eligible, instead of Medicare Part A – but not both.
Can you opt out of Medi-Cal?
Coverage cancellation: If you want to cancel your Medi-Cal plan, you can request this cancellation through Covered California.
What is the cheapest health insurance in California?
Affordable health insurance in California for 2025
L.A. Care has the cheapest rates in California, and it's the cheapest health insurance company for about a quarter of the people in California. But you can only get L.A. Care if you live in Los Angeles County.
Can I switch to Covered California anytime?
Open enrollment for Covered California starts in the fall. Even when open enrollment is over, individuals with qualifying life events can enroll at any time of the year. Medi-Cal enrollment is also year-round.
How do I change my Medi-Cal to Covered California?
Moving Between Covered California and Medi-Cal
To report changes, call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 or sign in to your online account.
What is the highest income to qualify for Medi-Cal?
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).
Is it better to go through Covered California?
Covered California is the only place where you can get help paying for your plan. Most of our customers get help paying for their coverage. Anyone can apply for coverage when open enrollment begins in the fall, or right now if you've experienced a certain life change.
Is Covered California the same as Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal is health coverage, just like the coverage offered through Covered California. Medi-Cal provides benefits similar to the coverage options available through Covered California, but often at lower or no cost to you or your family.
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.
Why am I not eligible for Covered California?
You do not have other health coverage (such as free Medi-Cal or employer-sponsored insurance) that prevents you from qualifying for insurance through Covered California. Covered California stated that you are not a California resident. Covered California stated that you did not pay your premiums by your due date.
Can you have Medi-Cal and private insurance at the same time?
You can have Medi-Cal even though you have Other Health Coverage (OHC) through individual or group private health (or dental) insurance coverage. See the email we rec'd May 17th from Medi Cal to clarify some of these issues. Read the rest of the page on which plan pays first, etc. namely, the other plan.
Do I have to pay back Medi-Cal?
The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Repayment only applies to benefits received by these beneficiaries on or after their 55th birthday and those who owned assets at the time of death.
What is considered extremely low income in California?
Extremely low income: 15-30% of AMI. Very low income: 30% to 50% of AMI. Lower income: 50% to 80% of AMI; the term may also be used to mean 0% to 80% of AMI. Moderate income: 80% to 120% of AMI.
Does Covered California check your income?
This is called “income verification.” Covered California does this by electronically asking the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) database and other databases if what you reported is the same as what they have on file. The IRS will not share your personal tax data with Covered California.