Is Medi-Cal and Medicare the same thing?


Editorial team Published on

No, Medi-Cal is not Medicare; they are two different programs with separate rules, though some people qualify for both.

The Key Differences

  • Medicare is a federal health insurance program. It is mainly for people who are 65 or older, or younger people with specific disabilities, regardless of their income or assets.
  • Medi-Cal is California's version of Medicaid. It is a public health insurance program for low-income residents of California, regardless of age.

How They Work Together

If you have a low income and meet the age or disability requirements, you can qualify for both programs. People with both are called "dual-eligible" or have "Medi-Medi" coverage.

  • Medicare pays first as your primary insurance for covered medical care.
  • Medi-Cal pays second to help cover remaining costs like Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays, plus extra services Medicare usually doesn't pay for (such as dental and long-term care).