Medi-Cal Overview

Medi-Cal is free or low-cost health coverage for children and adults with limited income and resources.

Who can qualify for Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal covers low-income adults, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care as well as former foster youth up to age 26, and pregnant women.

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

Medi-Cal is health coverage, just like the coverage from Covered California health plans. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, your health care will be free or at a lower cost to you and your family. Medi-Cal plans and Covered California plans both offer a similar set of important benefits, called “essential health benefits."

How can I apply for Medi-Cal?

You can apply online at CoveredCA.com. A single application will let you know if you qualify for Covered California or Medi-Cal coverage. You can also apply in person at your local county human services agency or over the phone by calling (800) 300-1506. If you need help applying or have questions, you can contact a trained Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) for free. Search a list of local Certified Enrollment Counselors or call (800) 300-1506.

After Applying

If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you will get a benefits identification card (BIC) in the mail, and you can start using it to get your health care as a new Medi-Cal member. In some cases, after you apply, we may need more information from you to make sure you qualify for Medi-Cal. In those cases, your county’s human services agency may contact you to verify that information.

If you are determined eligible, Medi-Cal will mail you a packet of available health plans to choose from.

If you have applied but have not received a BIC or been contacted by your human services agency, please do not apply again. It may be because it is taking longer than normal to process applications. If you want to ask about your application, you can contact your county human services agency in person or over the phone.

Not eligible for Medi-Cal or Covered California?

If you are uninsured and are not eligible for Medi-Cal or a Covered California plan you may qualify for health services offered by your county. These programs are not insurance plans and they do not provide full coverage, but they are an option for limited health services. County health programs are commonly known as “county indigent health” or “medically indigent adult” programs.

Each county has different rules and services for these programs. Click on this link for more information about your county’s health program. If your county does not appear on the list, search for the “medically indigent” program in your county.