What is Medi-Cal Healthier California for All?

Asked by: Ulises Oberbrunner  |  Last update: November 10, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (2 votes)

Medi-Cal Healthier California for All (formerly CalAIM) is a multi-year initiative by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve the quality of …

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. Read more in “Covered Benefits” on page 12.

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 pros of Medi-Cal?

What You Get
  • Preventive Care. Enjoy free services, like well-baby visits and checkups.
  • Emergency Services. Ambulance and emergency room services.
  • Primary Care. Doctor visits for sickness, injuries or other concerns.
  • Dental and Vision. ...
  • Family Planning. ...
  • Prescription Coverage. ...
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.

What is the difference between Medi-Cal and Covered California?

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 Is Medi-Cal? (Part 1)

22 related questions found

What is the limit for Medi-Cal in California?

On July 1, 2022, Medi-Cal asset limits increased to $130,000 for individuals, $195,000 for couples.

Who pays for Medi-Cal in California?

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 downside of Medi-Cal?

There is a fundamental problem with Medi-Cal that is hindering patient access to care, and to specialists in particular – Medi-Cal physician reimbursement is so low that physicians cannot cover the cost of providing care.

Is Medi-Cal a good program?

The health plans offered by Covered California and Medi-Cal include the same full set of benefits, but Medi-Cal is usually at lower or no cost. You can preview plans and benefits here. In a recent survey of Medi-Cal members, 90% of the members who answered rated Medi-Cal as a good or very good program.

How do you explain Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program that provides free or low cost medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.

Does Medi-Cal cover surgery?

medications. Inpatient hospital services • Anesthesiologist services • Surgical services (bariatric, reconstructive surgery, etc.) Organ & tissue transplantation • Outpatient laboratory and X-ray services o Various advanced imaging procedures are covered based on medical necessity.

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.

Does California Medi-Cal cover dental implants?

Medi – Cal generally does not cover implants.

However, check out Dental for Everyone they have plans that will cover implants! Remember though, there is no free lunch. Insurance Companies have to take in more money in premiums than the pay in claims…

Do you have to pay back Medi-Cal in California?

Do you have to pay back California Medicaid? The Medi-Cal program is required to seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal members. The rules state that repayment only applies to the benefits received by members on or after their 55th birthday and who owned assets at the time of death.

Can I choose Covered California instead of Medi-Cal?

You may be eligible for health coverage through Covered California if you are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal due to an income increase or change in household size. In order to avoid a gap in your health coverage, Covered California can help you select a new plan before your Medi-Cal coverage ends.

Does Medi-Cal cover emergency room visits?

In the event you have a medical emergency before you find a doctor, contact 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital. Medi-Cal does cover emergency services for enrolled members, and if you show your BIC to emergency room staff, Medi-Cal will pay for the services you receive.

How much is Medi-Cal monthly?

Medi-Cal monthly premium amounts have been reduced to $0.00 effective July 1, 2022. Monthly billing and collection of premiums for the Medi-Cal for Families program will no longer be required.

How much income is too much for Medi-Cal?

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. You can qualify for Medi-Cal even if you have assets.

Is there a difference between Medi-Cal and Medicaid?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Medicaid is partly funded by the federal government and partly by the state. In California, Medi-Cal provides unified health insurance benefits that cover all necessary medical expenses up to the program's limits.

Does Medi-Cal check your assets?

4. How to Qualify. To find out if you qualify for one of Medi-Cal's programs, look at your countable asset levels. As of July 1, 2022, you may have up to $130,000 in assets as an individual, up to $195,000 in assets as a couple, and an additional $65,000 for each family member.

Is Medi-Cal income based?

If your income is below the MCAP eligibility guidelines, you may qualify for ​no-cost Medi-Cal. ​ If you do not qualify for MCAP because your income for your family size is below the MCAP eligibility guidelines, you may qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal.

Does Medi-Cal affect taxes?

Does Medi-Cal count as minimum essential coverage (MEC)? Yes. Most people with Medi-Cal have coverage that counts as MEC and they will not face a tax penalty. However, there are individuals who have limited Medi-Cal coverage that does not meet MEC.

Does Medi-Cal check savings?

Tese rules will continue under the asset limit increase in July 2022. After January 2024, the ownership of a home, more than one vehicle, or the amount of money and savings in a banking account, will not be taken into account for Medi-Cal benefts. Q: Will Medi-Cal income limits change?

Can you own a home and get Medi-Cal in California?

Property used as a home is exempt (not counted in determining eligibility for Medi-Cal).