Find a Doctor on a Managed Care Health Plan
: When your Medi-Cal application is finalized, you will be able to join a managed care health plan. Until then, you can find a doctor on the websites of those Medi-Cal managed care health plans. Click the name of your county to find the plans that serve your area.
How do I know if my Medi-Cal is active?
Call Medi-Cal Directly
You can also check on your Medi-Cal status by calling the Medi-Cal hotline at (800) 541-5555. If you're outside of California, call (916) 636-1980.
How long does it take to receive Medi-Cal?
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
.
Do I need to enroll in Medicare if I have Medi-Cal?
Medicare pays for your doctor, hospital, and other medical bills, as well as your prescription drugs. If you have Medi-Cal,
you must enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan
. Medi-Cal will pay your Medicare Part B premium if you have full Medi-Cal or a Medi-Cal share of cost (SOC) of less than $500.
Does Medi-Cal check your bank account?
Because of this look back period,
the agency that governs the state's Medicaid program will ask for financial statements (checking, savings, IRA, etc.) for 60-months immediately preceeding to one's application date
.
Does Medi-Cal verify income?
No. This program uses Social Security's countable income calculation to determine your income
. Additionally, the WDP Program does not count unearned income from private or public disability benefits (such as SDI, SSI, SSDI, STD, LTD ) when determining your countable income.
What is a Medi-Cal BIC card?
You have now received or will shortly receive a plastic Benefits Identification Card (BIC). This BIC is
used to verify your eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits
, allowing your Medi-Cal providers to bill for your medical and/or dental care.
What is Medi-Cal insurance 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.
Does Medi-Cal include dental?
Medi-Cal offers comprehensive preventative and restorative dental benefits to both children and adults
. You can find a Medi-Cal dentist on the Medi-Cal Dental Provider Referral List, or by calling 1-800-322-6384.
How much money can you have in the bank and still qualify for Medi-Cal?
You may have
up to $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 in assets as a couple
. As of July 1, 2022 the asset limit for some Medi-Cal programs will go up to $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple. These programs include all the ones listed below except Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Is Medi-Cal 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 Medi plan?
Medicaid is
a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs if you have limited income and resources and meet other requirements
. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and are called “dual eligibles.” This is also referred to as “Medi-Medi.”
What's the difference between Medi-Cal and Medicare?
Medicare provides health coverage to individuals 65 and older or those with a severe disability regardless of income, whereas Medi-Cal (California's state-run and funded Medicaid program) provides health coverage to those families with very low income, as well as pregnant women and the blind, among others.
What is the monthly income limit for Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal does have the option to review an applicant's income on an annual basis.
For a single adult, the monthly Medi-Cal income was $1,482. In 2022, the monthly income will increase to $1,564
. In other words, an adult can earn up to $1,564 per month and still qualify for no cost Medi-Cal.
What's the difference between Medi-Cal and Medicaid?
Actually, the good news is –
there is no difference between the two
. Medi-Cal health insurance is merely California's Medicaid program, which is paid for with federal and state tax revenues.
Can Medi-Cal take my 401k?
When it comes to your IRA and how it is treated,
Medi-Cal will count your IRA or 401k as an available source of funds to pay for your care, unless it is in payout status
. “Payout status” means that you are taking at least the required distribution out of your plan on a monthly basis.
What is the maximum income to qualify for Medi-Cal 2021?
Adults are eligible for Medi-Cal if their monthly income is 138 percent or less of the FPL. For dependents under the age of 19, a household income of 266 percent or less makes them eligible for Medi-Cal.
A single adult can earn up to $17,775
in 2021 and still qualify for Medi-Cal.
Can I have Kaiser and Medi-Cal?
Kaiser Permanente participates in Medi-Cal in many counties
. This means that, if you are a current Kaiser Permanente member and your situation changes, you may be able to keep your same doctor and continue your care with Kaiser Permanente if you qualify for Medi-Cal.
Does pandemic unemployment count as income for Medi-Cal?
For Non-MAGI Medi-Cal, PUA benefits are counted as income
, and if retained, these benefits are counted as property the following month.. For Covered California programs, the taxable portion is counted in the eligibility determination.
Do you have to repay Medi-Cal after your income increases?
Many of these people fear they will have to repay Medi-Cal for the months they were really ineligible for the no cost health insurance. Do you have to repay Medi-Cal after your income increases and you were no longer eligible? The short answer is
usually not
.
What do Medi-Cal cards look like?
You will soon get a Medi-Cal identification card called a Benefits Identification Card, or BIC. It is
white with blue writing, and it has a picture of the seal of the State of California
. It will also have your name on it.
What is Medi-Cal white card?
Whenever you receive medical care related to an accepted illness, you display your “White Card” to get the costs covered under EEOICPA
. This card can cover a wide range of medical services that include home nursing care.
Is Medi-Cal accepted out of state?
Yes. To bill Medi-Cal, a provider must complete the appropriate enrollment forms
. For questions on which forms to use, contact the Out-of-State Provider Unit at (916) 636-1960. If a provider chooses not to enroll, they may bill the patient.
Is Medi-Cal PPO or HMO?
Almost all Medi-Cal plans are “managed care plans” which means they function similar to an HMO
. Medi-Cal Plans can be found in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory. A managed care plan means you'll have a primary care physician, and they're the one person you'll see if you need medical care.
What's the difference between Covered California and Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal offers low-cost or free health coverage to eligible Californian residents with limited income. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace where Californians can shop for health plans and access financial assistance if they qualify for it.
How good is Medi-Cal?
In a recent survey of Medi-Cal members,
90% of the members who answered rated Medi-Cal as a good or very good program
.
