What is full Medi-Cal coverage?

Asked by: Ms. Whitney Berge Sr.  |  Last update: March 10, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (63 votes)

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 does full coverage Medi-Cal cover?

Full scope benefits generally provides medical, dental, mental health, vision (eye) care, drugs your doctor orders, and more. Full scope Medi-Cal and CMSP benefits are available to individuals who meet all eligibility criteria and are either United States citizens/nationals or have satisfactory immigration status.

What are full benefits under Medi-Cal?

Prescription Drugs

Physician services • Hospital outpatient & outpatient clinic services • Outpatient surgery (includes anesthesiologist services.) Podiatry • Chiropractic • Allergy care • Treatment therapies (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.)

What does full scope Medi-Cal include?

Immigration status does not matter. Full-scope Medi-Cal benefits include primary care, medicine, mental health, dental, and vision care. If you are currently receiving restricted Medi-Cal benefits for emergency and pregnancy services, you do not need to take immediate action.

How do you qualify for full Medi-Cal?

You can also get Medi-Cal if you are:
  1. 65 or older.
  2. Blind.
  3. Disabled.
  4. Under 21.
  5. Pregnant.
  6. In a skilled nursing or intermediate care home.
  7. On refugee status for a limited time, depending how long you have been in the United States.
  8. A parent or caretaker relative of an age eligible child.

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33 related questions found

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal 2024-2023?

For 2024, the income limits are generally expressed as a percentage of the FPL and vary by the individual's category. For example, an individual may qualify for Medi-Cal if their yearly income is at or below $20,783. A couple may qualify for Medi-Cal if their annual income is at or below $28,208.

Which Medi-Cal plan is best?

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 19, 2023 – Kaiser Permanente Northern California's Medi-Cal health plan is the highest rated in the state for quality care, according to a December 2022 report from the state's Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

What are the two types of Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is health coverage for low-income children and adults. There are two kinds of Medi-Cal, the expanded Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) coverage and classic coverage. Some Medi-Cal programs have a Share of Cost, but most do not.

What does full Medi-Cal coverage mean?

Full-coverage health insurance, also known as major medical health insurance or comprehensive coverage, is a health insurance plan that provides overarching, broad coverage of a variety of healthcare services such as doctor visits, hospital visits, and emergency room visits.

What is the new law for Medi-Cal in 2024?

Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law in California will allow adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status.

How much money can you have in the bank if you have Medi-Cal?

For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10.

How do I check my Medi-Cal coverage?

Check your Medi-Cal Benefit Status
  1. By Smart Phone or Tablet. Visit BenefitsCal to:
  2. By Desktop Computer. To check your benefits with a desktop computer visit BenefitsCal.com.
  3. By Phone. To check the status of your benefits, visit BenefitsCal.com or call 888-472-4463.
  4. Request a replacement Benefit Issuance Card (BIC)

Does Medi-Cal cover all bills?

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.

What is included in full coverage?

But it typically refers to a policy that has liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision. That way, you're not only covered if you have to pay for someone else's injuries or repairs but also for repairs to your own vehicle. Remember, you won't see the term “full coverage” on an auto policy.

What does Medi-Cal cover free?

Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health care to people who qualify. It can help pay for doctor visits, hospital care, immunization (vaccines), pregnancy-related services, nursing home care, and other services. This includes: Outpatient (ambulatory) services.

What is 100% Medi-Cal coverage?

That is, the employer pays 100% of their employees' health plan premiums. No extra payroll deduction or other ongoing costs to worry about.

How do I know if my Medi-Cal is full scope?

You can learn more about Medi-Cal at www.dhcs.ca.gov. How will I know if I can get full scope Medi-Cal? You will get a notice in the mail. It will tell you if you can get full scope Medi-Cal benefits.

Does full coverage cover hospital bills?

Your medical expenses and your passengers' medical expenses are not covered by liability, collision, or comprehensive coverages. Medical bills can be covered by purchasing medical payments coverage or personal injury protection coverage.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

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 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.

Can you have both Medi-Cal and Covered California?

If you are eligible for Medi-Cal, you can still purchase a health coverage plan through Covered California, but you cannot receive premium assistance to reduce its cost and will have to pay the full cost of the Covered California health care plan's premium.

Can I get Kaiser with Medi-Cal?

At Kaiser Permanente, you have a wide network of doctors and specialists to choose from. All of our doctors accept Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal members. Get care from a doctor or specialist – including appointments, exams, and treatment. Your child can get regular check-ups – including shots and vaccines.

What is the very best Medi-Cal insurance?

Investopedia's analysis ranks Kaiser Permanente as the best health insurance company for 2025 because of its blend of affordability and low customer complaints. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna also earned top marks. We evaluated nine insurers using dozens of criteria, such as customer satisfaction, plan types, and costs.

Why does no one accept Medi-Cal?

The most frequent reasons physicians limit Medi-Cal patients in their practices are payment rates and administrative hassles.