Guide to Medi-Cal Application Process Medi-Cal Application
Medi-Cal eligibility is based primarily on your income and, sometimes, your “countable property“. Effective January 1, 2014, Medi-Cal has been expanded to offer coverage to a larger group of Californians. To learn more about this, visit the Medi-Cal Expansion Information page.
To find out if you and your family may be eligible based on income, use the Covered California Income Guidelines chart.
Pregnant women, children, and disabled persons are allowed to have a higher income on the Federal Poverty Level scale and are urged to apply.
How to Apply-
There is no wrong door when applying for health coverage in California. Please choose one of the following ways to apply:
In Person:
Apply at your local county social services office, where you can get personal assistance completing your application.
By Mail:
Apply for Medi-Cal with a Single Streamlined Application , provided in English and other languages. Send completed and signed applications to your local county social services office.
By Phone:
To apply over the phone, call your local county social services office.
Online:
Apply online at www.CoveredCA.com . Applications are securely transferred directly to your local county social services office, since Medi-Cal is provided at the county level.
If you need additional help applying or have additional questions, you can contact a trained Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) for free. Search a list of local CECs or call 1-800-300-1506.
If you have already submitted an application online and haven’t been contacted yet, please don’t submit a duplicate application.
Verify your eligibility-
The process for verifying your Medi-Cal eligibility, from the time your completed application is received to when you receive your Benefits Identification Card (BIC), normally takes 45 days. The general process for verification is as follows:
- Apply– Complete application and submit it either in person, by mail, by phone, or online.
- Receive a Notification of Likely Eligibility by mail.
- Your county’s social services office may contact you by mail or phone to request paper verification if income, citizenship and other criteria cannot be verified electronically.
- Receive Final Notice of Action notifying you of whether or not you can receive Medi-Cal.
- Receive BIC– When you receive your BIC in the mail, you are able to use of the many Medi-Cal benefits available to you.
Enroll in a Plan-
When you first qualify for Medi-Cal and receive your BIC, you are covered under Fee-For-Service (also called, Regular Medi-Cal). Within 45 days of receiving your BIC, you will be mailed information explaining your health plan options.
However, you must choose a health plan within 30 days of receiving your health plan information mailer. If you do not choose a plan within 30 days, Medi-Cal will choose a plan for you. The health plans available to you depend on what county you live in.
Go to the Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory and find your county.
For those Medi-Cal members who are already enrolled and need to pick a health plan, you can do so at the Health Care Options website.
If you see only one health plan, the county has chosen this plan for you. Please wait for your health plan information in the mail.
If you see multiple health plans listed, please explore each plan and choose the one that suits you and your family’s needs. Remember, if you do not pick a plan within 30 days of receiving your health plan information mailer, Medi-Cal will pick a plan for you.
If you live in San Benito County, there is only one health plan available and you may enroll in this health plan. However, you may choose to stay with Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal.
Start Using your Benefits-
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.
Click to expand each topic below and learn more about the Medi-Cal process.
Source: DHCS website
Elderly Waiver Program
No such thing
Senior Living Facilities in LA County
Use links in independent living facilities in LA county.
Note: AARP link has good info to pull from
Nursing Home Waiver
No such waiver