Is L.A. Care free?
Asked by: Isidro Wuckert | Last update: November 8, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)
Is L.A. Care only for low income?
The Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care) is a public agency that provides health insurance for low-income individuals in Los Angeles County through four health coverage programs including Medi-Cal.
Does L.A. have free healthcare?
Medi-Cal is California's version of the Medicaid health care program. Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health care coverage to California residents with limited income who meet eligibility criteria, including income guidelines, regardless of their immigration status.
What is the difference between Medi-Cal and L.A. Care?
L.A. Care is the health plan for Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works with L.A. Care to provide your Medi-Cal health care.
Is L.A. Care considered covered in California?
L.A. Care offers one of the largest HMO provider networks in the Covered California marketplace. Each plan provides comprehensive benefits and $0 preventive services to help you achieve your health goals.
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Is L.A. Care a good plan?
L.A. Care Health Plan is the highest-rated Medi-Cal managed care plan in Los Angeles County, as shown by the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2019–2020.
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.
Does L.A. Care have a copay?
Aside from the monthly premium, you may be responsible for paying a charge when you receive a covered service. This charge is called a copayment and is outlined in the Summary of Benefits. If you review your Summary of Benefits, you'll see that the amount of the copayment depends on the service you receive.
How does L.A. Care work?
L.A. Care is a managed care health plan contracted with DHCS. L.A. Care works with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers in the L.A. Care service area to give health care to our members. As a member of L.A. Care, you may qualify for some services provided through FFS Medi-Cal.
Does L.A. Care cover gym memberships?
SilverSneakers® is a no-cost fitness benefit for L.A. Care Medicare Plus members. This exciting program gives you a free basic gym membership at more than 15,000 fitness center locations across the country.
Does L.A. Care cover ER visits?
Emergency care is covered at all times and in all places. If you're not sure if you should visit the Emergency Room and need advice, you can: Call the Nurse Advice Line 1-800-249-3619 (TTY 711) Call Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711)
Who is eligible for free healthcare in California?
Who is eligible? Qualify for Medi-Cal if your income is up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for adults, and up to 266 percent FPL for children. Check Shop and Compare to see if you qualify. Learn more on the Department of Health Care Services website.
Is L.A. Care public or private?
L.A. Care has been a publicly operated health plan since 1997, serving Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County. Then in 2014, when it decided to participate in Covered California™, the state's Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, it became the first true public option in the marketplace… and guess what? It's thriving.
Is Kaiser part of L.A. Care?
In addition to offering a direct Medi-Cal line of business, L.A. Care contracts with three Plan Partners to provide coverage to Medi-Cal members. These Partners are Anthem Blue Cross, Care 1st Health Plan, and Kaiser Permanente.
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.
Is healthcare free in Los Angeles?
My Health LA (MHLA) provides primary health care at no cost to eligible residents of Los Angeles County. MHLA is not insurance. MHLA is a health care program for the uninsured (and un-insurable) residents of Los Angeles.
What kind of insurance is L.A. Care?
L.A. Care offers a Medi-Cal plan built with our community in mind. Medi-Cal is a public health care program for those with limited income. This free or low-cost public health insurance program pays for medical services for eligible California residents.
Does L.A. Care cover ambulance?
L.A. Care covers ambulance services to help you get to the nearest place of care in an emergency. This means your condition is serious enough that other ways of getting to a place of care could risk your health or life.
How do I switch to L.A. Care?
You can switch to L.A. Care at any time through one of the following options: Calling Health Care Options (HCO) at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY 1-800-430-7077), 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, and let them know you want L.A. Care as your Medi-Cal plan.
Do you have to pay for L.A. Care?
L.A. Care serves people who qualify for Medi-Cal. In most cases, L.A. Care members do not have to pay for covered services, premiums or deductibles. If you are an American Indian, you do not have to pay enrollment fees, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, cost sharing, or other similar charges.
Who is not eligible for Obamacare?
Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.
Is L.A. Care a good company?
L.A. Care Health Plan has an overall rating of 3.2 out of 5, based on over 393 reviews left anonymously by employees. 57% of employees would recommend working at L.A. Care Health Plan to a friend and 61% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months.
Is it cheaper to go without health insurance?
Healthcare is expensive—even with insurance. However, those who don't have insurance coverage will be at a much greater disadvantage. The inability to seek treatment for health conditions and the crushing weight of medical bills are two big reasons to obtain coverage.
Is hmo or ppo better?
HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.
What is the most expensive health insurance in California?
The most expensive health insurance in California is a platinum plan for an elderly adult, with an average monthly rate of $1982.