What does Medicaid pay for in California?

Asked by: Mr. Madisen O'Keefe  |  Last update: July 4, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

Medi-Cal also plays a major role in California's health care delivery system, paying for $1 out of every $6 spent on health care. Medi-Cal pays for two-thirds of all nursing home care and 4 in 10 of all births in the state. Medi-Cal is also the largest source of public funding for mental health care in the state.

What kind of things does Medicaid pay for?

Mandatory benefits include services including inpatient and outpatient hospital services, physician services, laboratory and x-ray services, and home health services, among others. Optional benefits include services including prescription drugs, case management, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

What is covered California Medicaid?

Covered California is the new marketplace that makes it possible for individuals and families to get free or low- cost health insurance through Medi-Cal, or to get help paying for private health insurance. Our goal is to make it simple and affordable for Californians to get health insurance.

What does Medi-Cal not cover in California?

Restricted scope Medi-Cal covers limited services. It does not cover medicine or primary care. If you have pregnancy-related limited scope Medi-Cal, you will have the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits, if the service is medically necessary.

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

Medi-Cal is what the Federal Medicaid program is called in California. Medicare and Medi-Cal work in conjunction with other health insurance companies (such as Kaiser, Blue Cross, etc.) to provide medical services to clients.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Medi-Cal in California? - InsuranceGuide360.com

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Can you have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time in California?

Enrollment in a Medi-Cal managed care plan does not impact Medicare benefits or provider access. Medi-Medi Plans coordinate all benefits and services across both programs, including all Medicare and Medi-Cal covered services.

Does Medicaid cover surgery?

When it comes to surgical procedures, both Medicare and Medicaid provide coverage for many medically necessary surgical services received under inpatient and outpatient treatment. However, coverage terms can vary depending on the type of surgery being performed, where it is performed, and your specific circumstances.

What is the disadvantage of Medi-Cal?

The perception that Medi-Cal offered poorer coverage or less respectful treatment than other types of insurance. Concerns among noncitizen respondents that applying for Medi-Cal might affect their immigration status.

What is not covered by Medicaid?

Medicaid coverage can vary from state to state, but here are some common services and items that are typically not covered: Elective cosmetic procedures: Cosmetic surgeries and procedures, such as cosmetic dentistry and non-medical weight loss procedures, that are not medically necessary are typically not covered.

What parts does Medicaid cover?

People with Medicaid may get coverage for services that Medicare doesn't cover or only partially covers, like nursing home care, personal care, transportation to medical services, home- and community-based services, and dental, vision, and hearing services.

What are the disadvantages of having Medicaid?

Disadvantages of Medicaid
  • Lower reimbursements and reduced revenue. Every medical practice needs to make a profit to stay in business, but medical practices that have a large Medicaid patient base tend to be less profitable. ...
  • Administrative overhead. ...
  • Extensive patient base. ...
  • Medicaid can help get new practices established.

Does Medicaid cover 100% of hospital bills?

What Medicaid Covers. Once an individual is deemed eligible for Medicaid coverage, generally there are no, or only very small, monthly payments, co-pays or deductibles. The program pays almost the full amount for health and long-term care, provided the medical service supplier is Medicaid-certified.

What supplies does Medicaid cover?

Quality Home Medical Supplies
  • Urological Supplies. Catheters.
  • Pediatric & Youth Supplies. Youth & Baby Diapers.
  • Other Supplies. Ostomy Supplies.

What benefits can you get with Medicaid?

Medicaid home health care and residential senior care coverage
  • Personal care, like showering.
  • Transportation services.
  • Skilled nursing care.
  • Occupational, speech and physical therapy.
  • Managing diet and nutrition (healthy eating)
  • Home-delivered meals.
  • Home chores and housekeeping.

Does Medicaid cover tummy tucks?

In general, Medicare/Medicaid does not cover tummy tucks because they are considered cosmetic procedures. These healthcare programs primarily focus on protecting medically necessary treatments and services.

What are the benefits of Medicaid in California?

Medi-Cal currently provides a core set of health benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, immunization, pregnancy-related services and nursing home care. The Affordable Care Act ensures all Medi-Cal health plans offer what are known as Essential Health Benefits (EHB).

How often does Medicaid check your bank account?

Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.

What disqualifies you from Medi-Cal?

To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability. Be working and earning income (this can be part-time work). Have countable income less than 250% of the federal poverty level (in 2024, this equates to $3,158/mo.

How many cars can you own on Medicaid?

An applicant is allowed to own one car that's not included in your resource limit if it's used for transportation or by another person living in the house, such as a spouse. You also don't have to be the driver of the vehicle. It's important to know that the value of the vehicle doesn't matter.

Is it good to have both Medicaid and Medicare?

People who have both Medicare & Medicaid

If you're dually eligible, Medicare covers your prescription drugs. You'll automatically be enrolled in a Medicare drug plan that will cover your drug costs instead of Medicaid. Medicaid may still cover some drugs that Medicare doesn't cover.

What happens when you are on Medicaid and turn 65?

Therefore, following the ACA's coverage expansion, many newly-insured older enrollees will face a complex insurance transition on their 65th birthday: they will lose Medicaid coverage and transition from Medicaid to Medicare as their primary insurer.

What are the four types of Medicaid?

There are four types of Medicaid delivery systems:
  • State-operated fee-for-service (FFS)
  • Primary care case management (PCCM)
  • Comprehensive risk-based managed care (MCO model)
  • Limited-benefit plans.