Is Medi-Cal an HMO or PPO?

Asked by: Ms. Maryse Heidenreich V  |  Last update: April 17, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (56 votes)

Almost all Medi-Cal plans are "managed care plans" which means they function similar to an HMO. Medi-Cal Plans can be found in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory. A managed care plan means you'll have a primary care physician, and they're the one person you'll see if you need medical care.

What type of plan is Medi-Cal?

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.

Is Medi-Cal considered an HMO?

Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, offers health coverage to low-income individuals and families, ensuring that eligible residents have access to necessary medical services. Medi-Cal provides those services through an HMO-based model of healthcare delivery.

How do I know if my Medi-Cal insurance is HMO or PPO?

However, if you've already got a health plan and don't know which plan type you have, you can check your insurance card or contact your insurance provider directly. If you have an online account through your provider that allows you to access plan details, you can also start there.

Is Medicare an HMO or PPO?

When you sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can choose different plan types: Medicare HMO or Medicare PPO. Both types of plans offer network and cost options.

PPO vs HMO: What's the Difference?

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Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

Is Medicare part CA HMO?

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

How do I know what kind of Medi-Cal I have?

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.

Is Medi-Cal HMO or PPO in California?

Most health insurance plans in the state are either Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Though either plan can be a good option, your individual needs will impact which type of health insurance plan is right for you.

Is California Medi-Cal the same as Medicare?

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.

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."“

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.

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.

What form does Medi-Cal use?

The Form 1095-B shows your Medi-Cal coverage and can be used to verify that you had minimum essential coverage (MEC) during the reported tax year in the upper right corner of your Form 1095-B.

Is Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal PPO or HMO?

Medi-Cal Access Program

Anthem contracts with the state of California to provide services to eligible members through our PPO or HMO, based on where the member lives.

What else is Medi-Cal called?

The California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal or MediCal) is the California implementation of the federal Medicaid program serving low-income individuals, including families, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women, and childless adults with incomes below 138% of federal ...

Is Medi-Cal better than Covered California?

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.

What are the four types of Medicaid?

There are four types of Medicaid delivery systems:
  • State-operated fee-for-service (FFS)
  • Primary care case management (PCCM)
  • Comprehensive risk-based managed care (MCO model)
  • Limited-benefit plans.

Is it better to have HMO or PPO?

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 type of insurance is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's version of the Federal Medicaid program. 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.

Can I get Kaiser with Medi-Cal?

At Kaiser Permanente, you have a wide network of doctors and specialists to choose from. All of our doctors accept Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal members. Get care from a doctor or specialist – including appointments, exams, and treatment. Your child can get regular check-ups – including shots and vaccines.

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 Medicare considered an HMO or PPO?

Medicare HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans and Medicare PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are two types of Medicare Advantage plans. There are few differences between the two.

What is an example of a HMO?

There are many examples of HMOs, both in the public and private sectors. Popular HMO plans can be found in State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Kaiser Permanente, Humana, Medicare, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and Aetna.

What is a Medi-Cal managed care plan?

Medi-Cal Managed Care contracts for health care services through established networks of organized systems of care, which emphasize primary and preventive care. Managed care plans are a cost-effective use of health care resources that improve health care access and assure quality of care.