Medi-Cal Eligibility & Application: A Comprehensive Guide for California Residents

According to the California HealthCare Foundation, the Medi-Cal program provides health insurance to 6.8 million California residents including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women and people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. Medi-Cal is equally funded by California and the federal government. It has insured needy Californians since 1966.

Instructions

• 1

  Check eligibility for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal states that people involved in certain programs, including SSI/SSP, CalWorks (AFDC), Refugee Assistance, Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) are eligible for Medi-Cal. Other groups (including the elderly, those under 21, pregnant women and the disabled) are usually also eligible for Medi-Cal.

• 2

  Locate your local county welfare office to apply in person.

• 3

  Bring along necessary documents. These include proof of identity for one adult in the household, proof of pregnancy (if applicable), proof of income, proof of residency and proof of expenses.

• 4

  Choose from the available managed care plans. They are Two-Plan, County Organized Health Systems (COHS) and Geographic Managed Care (GMC).