Is Medi-Cal managed Medicaid?

Asked by: Jayda Dicki  |  Last update: December 24, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (22 votes)

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is California's Medicaid Agency. Within the Medi-Cal managed care program, California currently uses a variety of different models to deliver care: County Organized Health Systems (COHS), Geographic Managed Care (GMC), Two-Plan Model, and Regional Model.

Does Medi-Cal count as Medicaid?

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.

What is 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.

What is managed Medi-Cal in California?

Medi-Cal is health care for people with low or no incomes. Some people who have Medi-Cal are in a Medi-Cal Managed Care plan. These plans have networks of providers, including doctors, pharmacies, clinics, labs, and hospitals.

What are the different types of Medi-Cal?

​​​Find Out More About Medi-Cal Programs​​​
  • Medi-Cal Dental Program. Dental services are currently provided as one of the many benefits under the Medi-Cal program.
  • Fair Hearing. ...
  • Health Insurance Premium Payments. ...
  • Medi-Cal. ...
  • Medi-Cal Eligibility. ...
  • Medi-Cal Estate Recovery. ...
  • Medi-Cal Managed Care.

Medi-Cal Changes in January 2023

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What is another name for Medi-Cal?

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 ...

What is the new name for Medi-Cal?

On January 1, 2023, Cal MediConnect plans transitioned to Medicare Medi-Cal plans (MMPs or Medi-Medi plans) provided by the same companies that provided Cal MediConnect plans.

Is Kaiser Medi-Cal managed care?

You may be able to become a Medi-Cal Managed Care member with Kaiser Permanente. You must qualify for Medi-Cal and live in a county where Kaiser Permanente has a contract to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care services.

How many managed Medicaid plans are there in California?

Currently, a total of 24 plans contract with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to provide Medi-Cal managed care services to beneficiaries. Of these, 16 are local health plans.

What are the models of Medicaid in California?

Six different managed care models operating in all of the state's 58 counties: (1) County Organized Health Systems, (2) a Two-Plan model, (3) Geographic Managed Care, (4) Regional, (5) Imperial, and (6) San Benito.

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.

Do I have to pay Medi-Cal back?

The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Repayment only applies to benefits received by these beneficiaries on or after their 55th birthday and who own assets at the time of death. If a deceased beneficiary owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

What's the difference between Covered California and Medi-Cal?

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 other benefits can I get with Medi-Cal?

​​​​What are the Medi-Cal Benefits?
  • Outpatient (Ambulatory) services.
  • Emergency services.
  • Hospitalization.
  • Maternity and Newborn care.
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services​
  • Prescription Drugs.
  • Programs such as physical and occupational therapy (known as Rehabilitative & Habilitative Services) and devices.

How do I know if I have Medi-Cal coverage?

You can visit your local county human services office. You can use your information to confirm your Medi-Cal eligibility and get a temporary identification card.

What is the minimum income to qualify for Medi-Cal in California?

Most single individuals will qualify for Medi-Cal if there income is under $1,676 per month. Most couples will qualify if their income is under $2,267 per month. If you have disabilities, your income can be slightly higher.

How do I opt out of Medi-Cal managed care?

If you are in a Medi-Cal health plan and want to choose another health plan for any reason, you may leave the health plan and join a different health plan. You can call Health Care Options (HCO), toll free, at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY 1-800-430-7077), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

What is changing in Medi-Cal in 2024?

Improvements to Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans in 2024

DHCS is changing how it contracts with MCPs. These changes will improve how members experience care and include: New commercial MCP contracts: On December 30, 2022, DHCS announced an agreement with five commercial MCPs to serve Medi-Cal members in 21 counties.

What is the largest Medicaid program?

This is no surprise, as California has the largest Medicaid program in the nation, Medi-Cal. The top 10 states for Medicaid spending are: California: $82 billion. New York: $62.9 billion.

What does Medi-Cal managed care mean?

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.

Can I go to Kaiser if I have Medi-Cal?

At Kaiser Permanente, you have a wide network of doctors and specialists to choose from. All of our available doctors accept Kaiser Permanente members with Medi-Cal coverage. Get care from a doctor or specialist – including appointments, exams, and treatment.

Can I go to Kaiser emergency room if I have Medi-Cal?

Kaiser Permanente is an active participant in Medi-Cal managed care and our Fee-for-Service program provides care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are not Kaiser Permanente members but who may find it necessary to receive emergency care at one of our facilities.

What changes to Medi-Cal 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. Medi-Cal managed care enrollment does ​​NOT affect a beneficiary's Medicare providers or Medicare Advantage plan.

Is Blue Cross the same as Medi-Cal?

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.

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.