Is Medi-Cal Medicaid or Medicare?

Asked by: Felipa Rempel Sr.  |  Last update: January 4, 2024
Score: 4.5/5 (68 votes)

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 Medi-Cal same as Medicaid?

Medi-Cal is the same as Medicaid in California. It is a Federal and state-supported form of insurance that pays for various medical services for California residents with limited income and resources.

What type of insurance is Medi-Cal considered?

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.

Is Medi Medi the same as Medicare?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs if you have limited income and resources and meet other requirements. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and are called “dual eligible.” This is also referred to as “Medi-Medi.”

Can you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal?

If you qualify for full Medi-Cal (Medi-Cal without a share of cost (SOC)), Medi-Cal will also cover your Medicare Part A and B deductibles and copayments, and pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium.

Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid and Medi-Cal?

42 related questions found

Does Medi-Cal replace Medicare?

No. Medicare and Medi-Cal are two separate programs for health care coverage. Medicare is available nationally to cover seniors and people under the age of 65 with certain disabilities. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program, covering low-income individuals and families in California.

Is Medicare free in California?

Medicare Part A is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for approximately ten years while working (this is called “premium-free Part A”). If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you may have the option to pay for hospital insurance, also called “premium Part A”.

What is another name for 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.

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 Medi-Cal Medicare Part B?

The State of California participates in a buy-in agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), whereby Medi-Cal automatically pays Medicare Part B premiums for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have Medicare Part B entitlement as reported by Social Security Administration (SSA).

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.

What does full Medi-Cal cover?

Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health care for some people who live in California. Full scope Medi-Cal covers more than just care when you have an emergency. It provides medical, dental, mental health, and vision (eye) care. It also covers alcohol and drug use treatment, drugs your doctor orders, and more.

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.

What type of insurance is Medi-Cal HMO or PPO?

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.

Is Medicaid only in California?

A Look at Medicaid Programs in Calfornia's Neighboring States. Similarly to California, five states expanded Medicaid access to include low-income adults also. Those states are Illinois, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

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.

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.

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'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.

Who funds Medi-Cal in California?

Medi‑Cal provides health care coverage to over 14 million Californians with low incomes. As a joint state‑federal program, costs are shared between the federal and state as well as local governments.

Do you automatically get Medicare with Social Security?

If you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the RRB, you'll automatically be enrolled in both Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.

How much is Medicare per month in California?

How Much Does Medicare Cost in California? Original Medicare: Part A premiums can range from $0 to $506 per month. The Medicare Part A hospital deductible is $1,6000 for each benefit period. Part B, most people pay the standard premium of $164.90 per month.

Do you ever have to pay for Medicare?

How much does Medicare usually cost? Most enrollees will get Medicare Part A for free. This will provide coverage for hospitalization, skilled nursing and hospice. But the other parts of Medicare are not always free.

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.