How do I get rid of OHC?

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You can get rid of an Other Health Coverage (OHC) code on your Medi-Cal record by providing proof that your private insurance has ended to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Steps to Remove OHC

  • Gather proof of termination: Get a document showing your other insurance has ended. Acceptable proof includes a termination letter from the insurance company or employer, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) showing the end date, or a pay stub showing insurance deductions have stopped.
  • Submit an OHC Removal Request: Fill out the DHCS OHC Removal Form online or mail it in.
  • Call the Telephone Service Center: Contact the DHCS at (800) 541-5555 to report that your other coverage has stopped and request code removal.
  • Contact your county office: Reach out to your local county social services office if you need a worker to update your Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) record directly.

How to remove OHC from Medi-Cal?

To remove Other Health Coverage (OHC) from your Medi-Cal record, you can submit an online request or call the Medi-Cal Telephone Service Center.

Methods to Remove OHC

  • Online Form: Fill out and submit the DHCS OHC Removal or Addition Form provided by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). You will need your Medi-Cal Client Index Number (CIN) from your Benefits Identification Card (BIC).
  • By Phone: Call the fee-for-service Medi-Cal Telephone Service Center toll-free at 1-800-541-5555 (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays).

Processing Time

  • Requests are typically processed by DHCS within 36 to 72 hours.

What does OHC stand for?

OHC most commonly stands for Overhead Camshaft in automotive engineering or an Occupational Health Centre in workplace safety and healthcare.

Main Meanings of OHC

  • Overhead Camshaft (Automotive): A type of car or motorcycle engine design where the camshaft (the rod that opens and closes the engine valves) is placed in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber, rather than down in the lower engine block. It includes variants like SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) and DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft).
  • Occupational Health Centre / Clinic (Healthcare & Safety): A designated medical facility or first-aid station located inside a large workplace, factory, or construction site to handle employee injuries, health check-ups, and emergency care.
  • Other Health Coverage (Insurance): A term used by medical programs like Medi-Cal to describe a patient's primary private insurance or Medicare plan that must be billed before state benefits apply.
  • Occupational Health Certificate (Employment): Official documentation proving a worker is physically and mentally fit to perform high-risk job tasks.

How do I deactivate health insurance?

You can cancel your policy through HealthCare.gov or your state's health insurance marketplace, or by calling your private insurance provider directly.

Marketplace Plans

  • Log in: Go to your account on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace website.
  • Select plans: Go to "My Plans & Programs" to find your policy.
  • End coverage: Click "End (Terminate) All Coverage" or follow the prompts to choose an end date.
  • Call instead: Reach out to the Marketplace Call Center if you need phone support.

Private or Employer Plans

  • Private insurance: Call the customer service phone number listed on your insurance card or billing statement to request a cancellation. Your insurer might ask you to sign or mail a confirmation letter.
  • Employer-provided plan: Contact your company’s human resources (HR) or benefits department to stop your payroll deductions and drop the coverage.

Important Risks

  • Re-enrollment limits: Dropping your plan voluntarily does not count as a qualifying life event. You usually cannot sign up for a new ACA-compliant plan until the next open enrollment period.
  • Coverage gaps: Confirm your new medical coverage starts before you end your current plan.

Can you have Medi-Cal and another insurance?

Yes, you can have Medi-Cal and another health insurance plan at the same time.

How Dual Coverage Works

  • Primary Payer: Your other insurance (such as a private plan or Medicare) pays your medical bills first.
  • Secondary Payer: Medi-Cal acts as the secondary insurance and covers remaining costs like copays, deductibles, or services your primary plan leaves behind.
  • Payer of Last Resort: Federal and state rules require you to report any Other Health Coverage (OHC) to the state so Medi-Cal remains the final payer.

Common Types of Second Insurance

  • Medicare: People with both Medicare and Medi-Cal are called "dual-eligible" or "Medi-Medi" beneficiaries. Medicare pays first, and Medi-Cal helps with leftover costs or extra benefits.
  • Private/Employer Insurance: Families can keep private insurance for a child or adult and use Medi-Cal as a secondary backup for items like medical equipment, supplies, or hospital copays.

Important Rules to Remember

  • Provider Acceptance: Your doctor or facility must accept Medi-Cal for secondary payments. Providers cannot bill you for remaining balances if they take Medi-Cal.
  • Reporting: You must tell the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) about your other insurance.

How Sonya Recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (OHC Client Case Study)

9 related questions found

What is the 3 month rule for Medi-Cal?

The "3-month rule" in Medi-Cal most commonly refers to the three-month grace period to re-enroll after losing coverage, or historically, the 3-month retroactive coverage period for past medical bills.

1. Three-Month Re-enrollment Grace Period

  • What it is: If your full-scope Medi-Cal coverage ends (such as missing a renewal deadline), you have a 3-month window to sign up again and restore your full benefits.
  • Who it affects: Recently, under updated enrollment guidelines for certain adult groups (such as specific adult immigrants or those undergoing eligibility transitions), missing this 3-month re-application window means you may lose full-scope coverage and be downgraded to restricted-scope Medi-Cal (which only covers emergency, pregnancy, and nursing home care).
  • Managed Care Plan Protection: If you temporarily lose Medi-Cal and re-enroll within 3-month grace parameters, you can also retain your previous health plan.

2. Retroactive Coverage (Past Medical Bills)

  • What it is: Medi-Cal previously allowed up to 3 months of retroactive coverage, meaning the program could help pay for medical services you received in the three months before the month you officially applied, provided you were eligible during those months.
  • Current Limits: Due to recent federal policy adjustments, retroactive coverage has been shortened for many groups (reduced to 1 month for ACA expansion adults and 2 months for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities). You must request retroactive help through your local county social services office within one year of receiving the service.

Will I have to pay back Medi-Cal?

You generally do not have to pay back Medi-Cal while you are alive, but the state may seek repayment from your estate after you die through the Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Program.

Most users on Reddit agree that estate recovery usually applies only to specific long-term or nursing care, rather than standard medical insurance.

When Does Estate Recovery Apply?

  • Age Requirement: It only applies to benefits received on or after your 55th birthday.
  • Type of Care: For deaths on or after January 1, 2017, recovery is limited mostly to nursing facility services, home- and community-based services, and related hospital and prescription drug services. Regular doctor visits and basic health coverage (MAGI Medi-Cal) for people under 55 or outside long-term care are generally not recovered.
  • Assets Left Behind: The state can only recover what is left in assets subject to probate when you pass away. If you own nothing or leave no probate assets, nothing is owed.

Exceptions and Exemptions

The state will not seek recovery if you are survived by:

  • A spouse
  • A minor child (under age 21)
  • A disabled or blind child of any age

Assets properly transferred before death through a living trust, survivorship, or named beneficiaries (like life insurance or retirement accounts) typically avoid probate and are protected from recovery.

What is an OHC test?

An OHC test (Occupational Health Certificate or Occupational Health Card test) is a mandatory medical screening required for workers in specific industries to prove they are healthy and fit for their jobs.

(Note: "OHC" can also refer to the OHC COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, a home nasal swab kit, but in regions like the UAE, it primarily refers to occupational health screening).

Who Needs an OHC Test?

You need this screening if you work in jobs where health, hygiene, and public safety are critical:

  • Food handling, restaurants, and cafes
  • Salons, spas, and beauty centers
  • Healthcare facilities and clinics
  • Hospitality, fitness clubs, and gyms
  • Childcare and education

What Does the Test Involve?

The medical checkup is simple and usually includes:

  • A physical examination
  • Blood tests (screening for communicable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis)
  • A chest X-ray

How to Get It

  1. Apply: Submit your documents (passport copy, visa copy, and photo) through an approved medical typing or fitness center.
  2. Test: Visit the designated medical center to complete the blood test and X-ray.
  3. Receive Card: Once approved by health authorities (such as the Dubai Health Authority), the official Occupational Health Card is issued, which must typically be renewed annually.

What is an OHC doctor?

An OHC doctor usually refers to either an occupational health center (OHC) physician who manages workplace health and safety, or an oncology specialist at OHC (Oncology Hematology Care), a major cancer treatment group.

Occupational Health Center (OHC) Doctor

  • Role: Protects worker health, treats on-the-job injuries, and prevents occupational illnesses.
  • Duties: Performs fitness-for-duty exams, manages hazard surveillance (like chemical or asbestos exposure), and provides medical clearances.
  • Setting: Works in factory clinics, corporate medical departments, or industrial job sites.

OHC (Oncology Hematology Care) Doctor

  • Role: Specializes in treating cancer and complex blood disorders.
  • Duties: Includes medical oncologists, hematologists, and radiation specialists who design personalized cancer treatment plans and clinical trial options.
  • Setting: Works within specialized community cancer centers.

What does "OHC" mean in slang?

The OHC SLANG Padded Rifle Sling is a specialized, lightweight tactical two-point rifle sling made by One Hundred Concepts in collaboration with Brave Castle.

Key Features

  • Pull-Forward Loosening: Unlike traditional slings that require you to pull back toward your armpit to loosen, the SLANG uses a reverse throw configuration by default, letting you pull forward toward the muzzle for faster adjustments.
  • High-Grip Tab: It features a straight, rubberized fabric pull tab instead of a traditional loop design.
  • Lightweight Padding: The shoulder strap is made from 500D Cordura with a soft tweave backing, measuring 1-5/8 inches wide and weighing about 100 grams.
  • Customizable Fit: The sling ships long so users can cut and trim it to their exact preferred length.
  • Price: Retails for around $65.