Is Medicaid in California called Medi-Cal?

Asked by: Dr. Rudy Dickens IV  |  Last update: September 30, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (19 votes)

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.

Is California Medicaid the same as 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.

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.

Does Medicaid include 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.

What Is Medi-Cal? (Part 1)

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Does California have Medi-Cal?

What is 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 eligibility to include low-income adults.

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 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.

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 income does Medi-Cal use?

Income-based Medi-Cal counts most types of earned and unearned income you have. However, some income is not counted, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and some contributions to retirement accounts. Learn more about what types of income affect income-based Medi-Cal eligibility.

How do I know if I have Medi-Cal?

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.

Is California Medicaid good?

A: In past surveys about their experience with Medi-Cal, we have consistently found that the vast majority of beneficiaries appreciate their coverage and say that Medi-Cal is a good program. Four in five report it is easy to find a doctor to care for them, and they are happy with their doctor.

Can you have Covered California and Medi-Cal?

These two-program families are called “mixed-program families.” Your family can apply for both through Covered California application. Individuals in a mixed-program family will face different, but typically lower, costs due to their eligibility for both Covered California and Medi-Cal.

Is Kaiser Permanente California Medicaid?

Kaiser Permanente participates in Medi-Cal in many counties. This means that if you are a current Kaiser Permanente member and your situation changes, you may be able to keep your same doctor and continue your care with Kaiser Permanente if you qualify for Medi-Cal.

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.

What is the largest Medicaid plan in California?

California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, is the largest state Medicaid program in the nation. Insuring almost one-third of California's more than 38 million residents,1 Medi-Cal is a key source of health coverage in the state and the main source of coverage for low-income children, adults, and people with disabilities.

How many Medicaid providers are there in California?

The Medi-Cal program has participation from over 400 hospitals and approx 130,000 physicians, pharmacists, dentists and other health care providers in California.

Which state is best for Medicaid?

Their research produced a top five states for Medicaid provision:
  • Connecticut.
  • New York.
  • California.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Minnesota.

What is full Medi-Cal benefits?

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 insurance company is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program that provides medical services to low-income people at little or no cost. It is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Is Medi-Cal only for low income?

Medicaid income eligibility in California is based on household size. To qualify for free Medi-Cal coverage, you need to earn less than 138% of the poverty level, based on the number of people who live in your home.

Is Blue California Medicaid?

Coverage that is all about you. At Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, we know that health care is more than a doctor's visit. That's why we provide extra care and support. We offer Medi-Cal in Los Angeles and San Diego counties and have many doctors to choose from.

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.