Can you have Medi-Cal and employer health insurance at the same time?

Asked by: Abbie Pollich  |  Last update: October 6, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (13 votes)

Depending on your situation, you might get employer-sponsored coverage, Medi-Cal, and Medicare all at the same time. This can sound confusing, but it can help you, because one form of coverage may pay for costs that your other coverage won't pay for.

Can you have Medi-Cal and employer insurance at the same time?

Even if you have other health coverage such as health insurance from your work, you may still qualify for Medi-Cal. If you qualify, Medi-Cal will cover allowable costs not paid by your primary insurance. Under federal law, Medi-Cal beneficiaries' private health insurance must be billed first before billing Medi-Cal.

Is it illegal to have Medicaid and employer insurance?

The simple answer to the question of “can you have both Medicaid and private insurance?” is a resounding “YES”!

Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I get a job?

Yes you have to report the change in income and access to employer insurance but you'll continue to be eligible for Medi-cal for the rest of the Public Health Emergency. Medi Cal will tell you if you're even required to enroll in the job's health insurance.

Can you have two health insurance plans at the same time in California?

The short answer to that question is yes, you can have two health insurance plans. In fact, it's becoming increasingly common for individuals to have more than one health insurance plan.

Can Employees Have Two Health Insurance Plans?

24 related questions found

Can you have two health insurances with Medicaid?

Yes, you can maintain your employer-sponsored insurance plan as your primary coverage while also qualifying for Medicaid, which would pay for, generally speaking, any qualifying expense that your primary plan doesn't cover.

What happens if a patient has coverage under two insurance plans?

Having two health plans doesn't mean you'll receive full medical coverage twice. Instead, one policy will be your primary plan, and the other will be your secondary health coverage. This ensures the total amount your two plans will pay for your health expenses will never exceed 100% of the cost of those expenses.

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.

Does Medi-Cal check bank accounts?

➢ Do assets affect my eligibility? Starting on January 1, 2024, assets, such as bank accounts, cash, a second vehicle, and homes, will no longer be counted when determining Medi-Cal eligibility. Income and income from assets, such as income from property, will continue to be counted.

Can you have Medicare and employer insurance at the same time?

Can I combine employer health insurance with Medicare? If you or your spouse are working and covered through an employer, you can also decide to keep this coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B to get additional health coverage.

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).

Does employer health insurance count as income?

Health plans

If an employer pays the cost of an accident or health insurance plan for his/her employees (including an employee's spouse and dependents), then the employer's payments are not wages and are not subject to social security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes, or federal income tax withholding.

What happens if I don't report my income change to Medi-Cal?

If you do not report changes to your personal information right away, and then receive Medi-Cal benefits that you do not qualify for, you may have to repay DHCS.

How does Medi-Cal verify income?

Earned Income Most recent pay stub, written statement from employer, completed employer's income verification letter. All verification must show gross income, pay period, date received and hours worked.

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.

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.

What happens if you make too much for Medi-Cal?

What can I do if I make too much money for Medi-Cal? You may get a private health plan through Covered California. You could also get financial assistance. If you qualify, your local Medi-Cal office will share your information.

What are the restrictions for Medi-Cal?

If you apply for Medi-Cal in 2023:

The current asset limit is $130,000 for one person. Each additional household member adds $65,000 to the asset limit. Up to 10 members can be in a household. Medi-Cal will also consider income information (including income from property).

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.

Can I get Medi-Cal if my employer offers insurance?

Some or all of your family may still qualify for the Medi-Cal program if your income lands within a certain range of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines. This is regardless of whether you are offered insurance through your job or a family member's job.

What are the new rules for Medi-Cal in 2024?

On January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal eliminated any asset limit for enrollees and instead considers only applicants' income when assessing financial eligibility for benefits.

Can you have Medicaid and employer insurance at the same time?

You can qualify for Medicaid even if your employer offers health insurance. If you lose your Medicaid coverage for some reason, that would be considered a qualifying event, and you would be able to add coverage with your employer outside of the open enrollment period.

Can you have 2 medical insurances at the same time?

Can I have 2 health insurance plans at the same time? Yes. A process called coordination of benefits determines which insurance plan will pay first. Your primary plan will pay for the health claim first, paying the costs up to the plan's coverage limits, and then your second plan will kick in.

Which health insurance company denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.