Is L.A. Care Medicare or Medicaid?

Asked by: Gaetano Wiza  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (35 votes)

L.A. Care Medicare Plus coordinates all Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits as one health plan. Just a few of the benefits include access to gyms through Silver Sneakers, an over-the-counter allowance, mental health services, telehealth and worldwide emergency coverage.

What kind of insurance is a L.A. Care Health Plan?

L.A. Care Medi-Cal is the largest Medi-Cal plan in California that provides health care coverage to Medi-Cal beneficiaries residing in Los Angeles County.

Is L.A. Care considered Medicare?

L.A. Care Medicare Plus offers complete care that coordinates member's Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits, which includes medical, home and community-based services, medical supplies and medications.

Is Medicaid the same as 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.

What is the California Medicaid called?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.

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What is Medicaid called in LA?

Medi-Cal is the name for the Federal Medicaid Program in California. If you have limited income, the Medi-Cal Program provides comprehensive health coverage to you and your family for free or low-cost.

Is Medicaid the same as Medicare in California?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. Medi-Cal pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medicare is a federally funded insurance program for eligible participants 65 or over.

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.

How does L.A. Care work in California?

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.

What is the legal name for L.A. Care?

LOCAL INITIATIVE HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Is Blue Cross part of L.A. Care?

Medi-Cal Managed Care (Medi-Cal)

are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Blue Cross of California is contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care services in Los Angeles County.

What are the benefits of L.A. Care member services?

L.A. Care Medi-Cal Benefits
  • Primary Care Doctor, Wellness, and Specialist visits.
  • Hospital and Emergency Services.
  • Urgent Care and Retail Clinics.
  • Disease Management Programs.
  • Family Planning Services.
  • Lab Services and X-rays.
  • Immunizations.
  • Pediatric Services.

How good is a L.A. Care Health 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.

Is L.A. Care the same as Medicare?

L.A. Care Medicare Plus coordinates all Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits as one health plan. Just a few of the benefits include access to gyms through Silver Sneakers, an over-the-counter allowance, mental health services, telehealth and worldwide emergency coverage.

Why is L.A. insurance so expensive?

There are many reasons why car insurance in Los Angeles is expensive, including the high number of cars on the road, population density and car accident and theft rates. Minimum-coverage car insurance in LA costs 49% more than the California average and 33% more than the national average.

What network is LA Care covered?

The Medi-Cal provider network is the group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that work with L.A. Care to provide Medi-Cal covered services to Medi-Cal members. L.A. Care is a managed care health plan. You must get most of your covered services through L.A. Care in-network providers.

What type 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.

Is LA Care covered by Medicaid?

In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal. You qualify for L.A. Care because you qualify for Medi-Cal and live in Los Angeles County.

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.

What is the best Medi-Cal health plan in California?

Kaiser Permanente is also the only Medicare health plan in California to receive a 5-star rating, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2023 Medicare Star Ratings.

Is it better to have Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicaid offers benefits that Medicare doesn't normally cover, like nursing home care and personal care services. People with Medicaid usually don't pay anything for covered medical expenses but may owe a small co-payment for some items or services. Find out if you qualify for your state's Medicaid program.

Which is the cheapest health insurance for senior citizens?

Medicare is the cheapest health insurance with the best benefits for people age 65 and older or who have a qualifying disability.