Do you have to pay a copay with Medi-Cal?

Asked by: Bennie Smitham  |  Last update: July 13, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (1 votes)

If you qualify for full Medi-Cal (Medi-Cal without a share of cost (SOC)), Medi-Cal will also cover your Medicare Part A and B deductibles and copayments, and pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium. Learn more.

Does Medi-Cal pay for copays?

Medi- Cal may pay for any co-pays or deductibles you accrue under your private health insurance coverage, Medicare Part A (in-patient hospital), Medicare Part B (out-patient services, including specialty care and lab tests), Veterans Insurance, Tricare or any other public or private insurance plan that allows for such ...

Do I have to pay anything with Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal offers no-cost and low-cost health coverage to eligible people who live in California. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) oversees the Medi-Cal program. Your local county office manages most Medi-Cal cases for DHCS. You can reach your local county office online at www.benefitscal.com.

Do I have to pay a copay if I have Medicare?

Medicare-approved amount

You'll also pay a copayment to the hospital for each service you get in a hospital outpatient setting (except for certain preventive services). In most cases, your copayment won't be more than the Part A hospital stay deductible amount.

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.

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43 related questions found

Why don t doctors accept Medi-Cal?

Why doctors say they don't see Medi-Cal patients. While low reimbursement rates are the most common reason California doctors say they limit the number of Medi-Cal patients they see, the program's administrative burden is also daunting. Source: California Health Care Foundation.

How much income is too much for Medi-Cal?

Most single individuals will qualify for Medi-Cal if there income is under $1,676 per month. Most couples will qualify if their income is under $2,267 per month. If you have disabilities, your income can be slightly higher. You can qualify for Medi-Cal even if you have assets.

Can you waive Medicare copay?

copayments or deductibles directly from the patient. Any waiver or reduction of Medicare coinsurance or deductible amounts that do not strictly comply with the above policy standards are subject to potential criminal and civil sanctions and are strictly prohibited by this policy.

Why does Medicaid have a copay?

Medicaid rules give states the ability to use out of pocket charges to promote the most cost-effective use of prescription drugs. To encourage the use of lower-cost drugs, states may establish different copayments for generic versus brand-name drugs or for drugs included on a preferred drug list.

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?

If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $518 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025).

What will disqualify you from Medi-Cal?

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.

Can you have both Medi-Cal and Covered California?

If you are eligible for Medi-Cal, you can still purchase a health coverage plan through Covered California, but you cannot receive premium assistance to reduce its cost and will have to pay the full cost of the Covered California health care plan's premium.

How does Medi-Cal copay work?

A copay is a fixed dollar amount that health insurance providers require patients to pay upfront for a covered service. A copay might be lower for a primary doctor appointment and higher for a prescription, an imaging exam, or a lab test.

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.

Can I have Medicare and Medi-Cal at the same time?

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."“

Is there a copay with Medi-Cal?

Applying for Medi-Cal

There are no monthly premiums or co-pays! Please visit our How to Join page for more information on applying for Medi-Cal and joining L.A. Care Health Plan. View our flyer on how you can get enrollment assistance at an L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center.

What if I can't pay copay?

Provider Policy: The healthcare provider's policy may vary. They may allow you to receive the necessary medical treatment or prescription medication, even if you can't pay the copayment immediately. In such cases, they might bill you later for the copayment amount.

Do I have to pay a copay with Medicare?

Copayments and Medicare

Original Medicare Part A has a copayment. Medicare Part B may also have a copayment in certain cases, such as for hospital visits on an outpatient basis. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may pay copayments.

Can Medicaid copays be waived?

Risks for Waiving Co-Pays Under Medicare and Medicaid.

Routinely or regularly waiving co-pays for Medicare or Medicaid patients poses several potential problems for your practice. Because both Medicare and Medicaid are federally funded programs, you risk violating multiple federal laws.

Can copays be written off?

If you are itemizing and entering medical expenses, yes, you can include co-pays and other out of pocket expenses that were not covered by insurance. The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.)

Which of the following is true about waiving Medicare patient copayments?

Which of the following is true about waiving Medicare patient copayments? Routine waiver of Medicare copayments is considered insurance fraud.

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.

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.

Does Medi-Cal verify income?

In order to determine your eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits, you may be required to submit information verifying your identity, income and/or property.