Can you get covered in California if you're on Medicare?

Asked by: Toney Ledner  |  Last update: May 9, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (46 votes)

If you're eligible for or enrolled in premium-free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), you can't apply for new coverage through Covered California. However, if you must pay for Medicare Part A, you may sign up for coverage through Covered California instead of Medicare Part A.

Can I have Medicare and Covered California at the same time?

If you have a Covered California plan with financial assistance, you can keep it until you qualify for Medicare. But after becoming eligible for Medicare, most people will need to cancel their Covered California plan.

Can I get covered in California and Medicare?

Those who are eligible for Medicare but must pay a premium for Part A coverage also have the option to enroll in a Covered California plan, but will pay penalties if they later decide to switch to Medicare. See Medicare and the Marketplace.

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.

Can I have both Medicare and Medi-Cal?

Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal and are “dual eligible” or Medi Medi beneficiaries. When an individual has both Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare is the primary insurance and pays for most medical care.

Covered California vs Medicare

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What disqualifies you from Medi-Cal in California?

The Medi-Cal program determines eligibility for benefits on a “means” tested basis. If a Medi-Cal applicant's property/assets are over the Medi-Cal property limit, the applicant will not be eligible for Medi-Cal unless they lower their property/assets according to the program rules.

How do I know if I qualify for Covered California?

Families of four who earn wages below the median household income in California — $97,200 per year — qualify for government assistance based on their income. If the family has a lower household net income, more government assistance is available to the family. Tax deductions can lower your income level.

What is the income limit 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). 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).

Why did I get denied for Covered California?

Covered California stated that your application was incomplete. 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.

How do I transition from Medicare to Covered CA?

You should call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 (TTY: 888-889-4500) as soon as you know your Medicare eligibility and start date. Covered California requires a 14-day notice before canceling your coverage. Your Covered California coverage can't be canceled for past months.

Which is better Covered California or Medi-Cal?

What is the difference in coverage between Medi-Cal and Covered California? 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.

What are the Medicare rules in California?

You are eligible for Medicare if you are a citizen of the United States or have been a legal resident for at least 5 years and: You are age 65 or older and you or your spouse has worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment.

Is California no longer paying Medicare Part B?

Note: If you have Medi-Cal with a SOC, Medi-Cal will not pay your Medicare Part B monthly premium. This means your Part B premium will be deducted from your Social Security check each month. One exception applies if you are in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that pays for your Part B premium (QMB, SLMB or QI).

Can I get marketplace insurance if I have Medicare?

Plans won't re-enroll you in your Marketplace coverage if they know you have Medicare. This means it will also end coverage for everyone on your Marketplace plan, including the people who aren't enrolled in Medicare.

Can I have both Covered California and Medi-Cal?

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.

Can you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal in California?

Can a person have both Medicare and Medi-Cal? Yes. Sometimes that's callled “Medi-Medi”, or “dual eligible.” Medicare is billed first for services and Medi-Cal is billed last. Medical providers are famliar with “Medi-Medis."“

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.

How much money can I have in my bank account for Medi-Cal?

asset information? eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.

What income disqualifies you from Covered California?

The limits are based on both household income and household size. 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.

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.

Is Covered California available to everyone?

Any Californian can get health insurance through Covered California if he or she is a state resident and cannot get affordable health insurance through a job. Applicants may qualify for a free or low-cost health plan, or for financial help that can lower the cost of premiums and co-pays.

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.

What kind of money counts as income?

Generally, you must include in gross income everything you receive in payment for personal services. In addition to wages, salaries, commissions, fees, and tips, this includes other forms of compensation such as fringe benefits and stock options.