Do I have to pick a Medi-Cal plan?

Asked by: Miss Zoey Kulas  |  Last update: November 11, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (13 votes)

Most people who have Medi-Cal must enroll in a medical plan. To learn more about who must enroll, or who may enroll, go to the Who must enroll page.

Can I change my Medi-Cal insurance plan?

If you are in a Medi-Cal health plan and want to choose another health plan for any reason, you may leave the health plan and join a different health plan. You can call Health Care Options (HCO), toll free, at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY 1-800-430-7077), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

How do I know what my Medi-Cal plan is?

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.

What are the different types of Medi-Cal?

​​​Find Out More About Medi-Cal Programs​​​
  • Medi-Cal Dental Program. Dental services are currently provided as one of the many benefits under the Medi-Cal program.
  • Fair Hearing. ...
  • Health Insurance Premium Payments. ...
  • Medi-Cal. ...
  • Medi-Cal Eligibility. ...
  • Medi-Cal Estate Recovery. ...
  • Medi-Cal Managed Care.

Can I go to any hospital with Medi-Cal insurance?

Emergency Rooms: As stated above, if you have an emergency and you cannot find a doctor right away, you can go to the emergency room at any hospital. If you show your BIC to staff at the emergency room, Medi-Cal will pay for the services you receive.

How To Choose The Best Healthcare Plan (2022!)

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What's the difference between Covered California and 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.

Do all pharmacies take Medi-Cal?

Almost all pharmacies in California are part of the RX network. This means you probably do not need to find a new pharmacy. But if you would like to see all RX pharmacies near you, please use the pharmacy locator on Medi-CalRx.dhcs.ca.gov.

What is full coverage Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health care to some people who live in California. Full. scope Medi-Cal covers more than just emergency health care. It provides medical, dental, mental health, family planning and vision (eye) care.

What does regular Medi-Cal cover?

Medi-Cal covers most medically necessary care. This includes doctor and dentist appointments, prescription drugs, vision care, family planning, mental health care, and drug or alcohol treatment.

What are full benefits under Medi-Cal?

​​​​What are the Medi-Cal Benefits? ​​Medi-Cal currently provides a core set of health benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, immunization, pregnancy-related services and nursing home care. The Affordable Care Act ensures all Medi-Cal health plans offer what are known as Essential Health Benefits (EHB).

Can you go to Kaiser with Medi-Cal?

All of our available doctors accept Kaiser Permanente members with Medi-Cal coverage. Get care from a doctor or specialist – including appointments, exams, and treatment. Your child can get regular check-ups – including shots and vaccines. Get prescriptions that fit within our list of covered drugs.

Does Medi-Cal cover surgery?

medications. Inpatient hospital services • Anesthesiologist services • Surgical services (bariatric, reconstructive surgery, etc.) Organ & tissue transplantation • Outpatient laboratory and X-ray services o Various advanced imaging procedures are covered based on medical necessity.

Does Medi-Cal cover emergency room visits?

All hospitals accept Medi-Cal yet are unable to balance bill the patient for any expense greater than their Medi-Cal reimbursement. This means no more emergency room bills for the Medi-Cal patient, and no restrictions on the number of times the patient can present for care.

Does California Medi-Cal cover dental implants?

Medi – Cal generally does not cover implants.

However, check out Dental for Everyone they have plans that will cover implants! Remember though, there is no free lunch. Insurance Companies have to take in more money in premiums than the pay in claims…

Can I opt out of Medi-Cal?

You must provide the reason you want to withdraw your application and discontinue Medi-Cal coverage. For example, if you've gotten a new job and will have health insurance coverage through that job, you may want to cancel Medi-Cal immediately.

How do I change my Medi-Cal income in California?

For Medi-Cal, you must report it within 10 days. To report changes, call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 or sign in to your online account.

Do you pay monthly for Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal monthly premium amounts have been reduced to $0.00 effective July 1, 2022. Monthly billing and collection of premiums for the Optional Targeted Low Income Children's Program (OTLICP), formally known as Medi-Cal for Families program, will no longer be required.

Do I have to pay Medi-Cal back?

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 who own assets at the time of death. If a deceased beneficiary owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

Is Medi-Cal free?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program that provides free or low cost medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.

What age does Medi-Cal stop?

All California residents under the age of 26 who meet the eligibility requirements can qualify to receive Medi-Cal, regardless of U.S. citizenship or immigration status.

Does Medi-Cal pay for Medicare Part B premium?

The State of California participates in a buy-in agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), whereby Medi-Cal automatically pays Medicare Part B premiums for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have Medicare Part B entitlement as reported by Social Security Administration (SSA).

Does Costco take Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal members now have a new access point in their communities to fill their prescriptions—at one of Costco's 122 current pharmacy locations across California. It is anticipated that more than 50,000 Medi-Cal Rx prescriptions will be filled each month in California Costco pharmacies.

What does Medi-Cal Rx mean?

What is Medi-Cal Rx? Medi-Cal Rx is the name DHCS has given to the collective pharmacy benefits and services that will be administered through the fee-for-service delivery system by Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. (MMA) upon full Assumption of Operations.

Does Medi-Cal cover name brand prescriptions?

Medi-Cal can pay for a brand name drug if a generic is not available or if your doctor considers the brand name to be medically necessary.

How much does Medi-Cal cost California?

For most families, Medi-Cal coverage for kids is free, with no premium, deductible or copays. For CCHIP coverage and sometimes for Medi-Cal, there is a fee of $13 per month per child, up to $39 per family. Want to get started with Covered California?