Is Medi-Cal full coverage?

Asked by: Justine Mitchell DDS  |  Last update: January 7, 2024
Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)

Medi-Cal covers most medically necessary care. This includes doctor and dentist appointments, prescription drugs, vision care, family planning, mental health care, and drug or alcohol treatment. Medi-Cal also covers transportation to these services. Read more in “Covered Benefits” on page 12.

Can I go to any hospital with Medi-Cal insurance?

Emergency Rooms: As stated above, if you have an emergency and you cannot find a doctor right away, you can go to the emergency room at any hospital. If you show your BIC to staff at the emergency room, Medi-Cal will pay for the services you receive.

Does Medi-Cal cover more than Medicare?

Medi-Cal also provides additional benefits beyond what's usually included with Medicare Parts A and B, covering prescription drugs, dental, vision care, extended stays in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care in nursing homes.

What kind of health insurance is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, is a public insurance health care program which provides health care services for low-income individuals and families who meet defined eligibility requirements.

How long does Medi-Cal coverage last?

Medi-Cal members must renew their coverage each year to keep their health care benefits. For most members, coverage is renewed automatically. Sometimes the county will send you a renewal form that you must review and return, along with any additional required information. Want to get started with Covered California?

What Is Medi-Cal? (Part 1)

40 related questions found

How do I check my Medi-Cal coverage?

How Do I Check My Medicaid Status? 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.

Does Medi-Cal renew every year?

Local Medi-Cal offices review each member's eligibility once a year or when they report changes to their household. Everyone's renewal date is different.

Does Medi-Cal cover surgery?

medications. Inpatient hospital services • Anesthesiologist services • Surgical services (bariatric, reconstructive surgery, etc.) Organ & tissue transplantation • Outpatient laboratory and X-ray services o Various advanced imaging procedures are covered based on medical necessity.

What's the difference between Medicaid and Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is what we call the joint Federal-State Medicaid program in California (just like Covered California is what we call Obamacare in California). Medi-Cal and Medicaid are essentially the same thing.

Is there a difference between Medi-Cal and Medicaid?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Medicaid is partly funded by the federal government and partly by the state. In California, Medi-Cal provides unified health insurance benefits that cover all necessary medical expenses up to the program's limits.

Is Medi-Cal free?

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.

Does Medi-Cal have premiums?

How much are the premiums? Medi-Cal monthly premium amounts have been reduced to $0.00 effective July 1, 2022. Monthly billing and collection of premiums for the Medi-Cal for Families program will no longer be required.

What is Medi-Cal Healthier California for All?

Medi-Cal Healthier California for All (formerly CalAIM) is a multi-year initiative by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of our population by implementing broad delivery system, program, and payment reforms across the Medi-Cal program.

Do all pharmacies take Medi-Cal?

Almost all pharmacies in California are part of the RX network. This means you probably do not need to find a new pharmacy. But if you would like to see all RX pharmacies near you, please use the pharmacy locator on Medi-CalRx.dhcs.ca.gov.

Does Blue Shield have a Medi-Cal plan?

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan currently serves Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. In Los Angeles County, we are contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan. In San Diego County, we are contracted with the Department of Health Care Services.

What does it mean to be on Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost health coverage for California residents who meet eligibility requirements. Most applicants who apply through Covered California and enroll in Medi-Cal will receive care through managed health plans. Medi-Cal has always covered low-income children, pregnant women and families.

What are the income limits for full scope Medi-Cal?

You are 19-64 years old and your family's income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($20,120 for an individual; $41,400 for a family of four). You are a child 18 or younger and your family's income is at or below 266% of FPL ($79,800 per year for a family of four).

Who pays Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal is supported by federal and state taxes.

Does Medi-Cal cover copays?

Medi- Cal may pay for any co-pays or deductibles you accrue under your private health insurance coverage, Medicare Part A (in-patient hospital), Medicare Part B (out-patient services, including specialty care and lab tests), Veterans Insurance, Tricare or any other public or private insurance plan that allows for such ...

Does Medi-Cal cover hospital stay?

​​Medi-Cal currently provides a core set of health benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, immunization, pregnancy-related services and nursing home care.

What are the full scope Medi-Cal benefits?

Starting on January 1, 2020, a new state law gives full-scope Medi-Cal health care coverage to eligible young adults from age 19 until they turn 26. Immigration status does not matter. Full-scope Medi-Cal benefits include primary care, medicine, mental health, dental, and vision care.

Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I get a job?

If you get Medi-Cal coverage and then get a job, you have a couple of options for keeping your Medi-Cal benefits. If you got Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits before you got your job, Social Security's 1619(b) program lets you earn up to $56,758 annually and still keep Medi-Cal coverage at no cost.

What is California Medi-Cal changing to in 2023?

Starting January 2023, Medi-Cal health coverage for most remaining dually eligible beneficiaries changed from Fee-For-Service (FFS) Medi-Cal to Medi-Cal Managed Care.