Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides free or low-cost health care to millions of Californians with low incomes. It is designed to provide access to essential health services that support public health and economic stability. Medicaid was established in 1965 as a state-federal partnership to offer coverage to people with low incomes, including children, pregnant women, seniors needing long-term care, and individuals with disabilities.
Over time, Medi-Cal has evolved to cover more people and more types of care over the years. A major milestone was the state’s full implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, which expanded eligibility to include low-income adults without dependent children.
Who is eligible for Medi-Cal?
Eligible Californians mainly qualify based on their income, as measured by Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). That includes adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and pregnant people with incomes up to 213% of the FPL. Children in families with incomes up to 266% FPL are also eligible through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
People are also eligible if they are: blind, disabled, age 65 and older, receiving Supplemental Security Income, in long-term care facilities, or are former foster youth until the age of 26.
What services does Medi-Cal cover?
Benefits include a wide range of services, including doctor’s appointments, emergency services, physical and occupational therapy, dentist appointments, laboratory services, prescription drugs, vision care, preventive and wellness services, and behavioral health services. Medi-Cal also offers transportation to and from appointments for services that are covered by Medi-Cal.
The program is overseen and administered by California’s Department of Health Care Services at the state level and is funded by the federal and state governments.
What's New
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Fact Sheet
Medi-Cal Asset Limit Would Force Seniors and People with Disabilities into Poverty
key takeaway California’s proposed Medi-Cal asset limit would force seniors and people with disabilities to spend down modest savings in order to keep health coverage and in-home care services, increasing the risk of housing instability, financial insecurity, and poverty. The governor’s May Revision proposes decreasing the current Medi-Cal asset limit from $130,000 to just $2,000 …HealthMedi-Cal -
Fact Sheet
Young Californians Face Alarmingly High Rates of Poverty and Deep Poverty
key takeaway Young adults across California face higher-than-average poverty and deep poverty rates as they transition into adulthood, underscoring the need to strengthen core basic needs programs and investments that help young Californians achieve economic stability and meet their basic needs. Young adulthood is a crucial time to establish independence and start to build financial …CalFreshMedi-CalPoverty & Inequality -
Fact Sheet
H.R. 1 Cuts to Medi-Cal Impact Californians in Every Legislative District
key takeaway H.R. 1’s historic cuts to Medi-Cal could cause up to 2 million Californians to lose their health care, destabilizing the state’s health care system and worsening health and economic outcomes in every legislative district. Access to health care and food assistance are critical for every Californian to survive. But due to the Republican …HealthMedi-Cal -
Fact Sheet
Understanding Recent Medi-Cal Spending in California
key takeaway Rising Medi-Cal spending reflects broader health care cost trends and expanded access to care, and cutting the program would harm Californians’ health and local economies without addressing the state’s underlying budget challenges. Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, provides free or low-cost coverage to more than one in three Californians, including children, pregnant individuals, seniors, …HealthMedi-Cal -
Issue Brief
Immigrants with Humanitarian Status at Risk of Losing Health Care in California
key takeaway Federal and state policy choices threaten to strip away full scope Medi-Cal from up to 200,000 immigrants with humanitarian status, forcing many to delay or forgo critical health care and putting their ability to survive at risk. Access to health care is essential for all Californians to be healthy and thrive. Yet federal …HealthMedi-Cal
