Medi-Cal Health Benefits

What is Medi-Cal? 

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Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program providing health care services for people in the following circumstances:

  • Individuals under 21
  • Families with children under 21
  • Seniors 65 and older
  • Individuals with blindness or disabilities
  • Children in foster care
  • Individuals under 26 who were formally in foster care
  • Pregnant people
  • People in a skilled nursing facility
  • Low-income individuals ages 19 - 64
  • Low-income families with or without children
  • Low-income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS

SERVICES

  • Pregnancy and postpartum services
  • Health and dental services
  • Hospital stays
  • Long Term Care
  • Vision care
  • Payment for medications

IMPORTANT: Are you enrolled in Medi-Cal? Has your contact information changed in the past two years? Give your county office your updated contact information so you can stay enrolled.

IMPORTANT: During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Medi-Cal beneficiaries have stayed enrolled in the program without having to renew every year. If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information today by contacting your local county office at 1-888-421-8080. Annual renewals began again as of June 2023, and the county needs to be able to reach you!

IMPORTANT: Changes to Medi-Cal rules are coming! Contact us if you need more information on the following changes:

  • As of January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal will be expanded to include all immigrants of any age who meet all Medi-Cal eligibility criteria regardless of immigration status. 
  • As of January 1, 2024, all property limits will be eliminated for all Medi-Cal programs. 

FACTSHEETS

Managed Care Plans for Santa Cruz County

In Santa Cruz County, enrollment in a Managed Care Plan (MCP) is mandatory.  Managed Care Plans are like an HMO for Medi-Cal. They help administer Medi-Cal services by helping individuals and families choose or change doctors within their network, obtain ID cards, and more. As of January 2024, Santa Cruz County will have two Managed Care Plans:  Central California Alliance for Health (thealliance.health) for most people, and Kaiser Permanente for people who meet certain criteria. To learn how to enroll in Kaiser Permanente, call Medi-Cal Health Care Options (HCO) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY: 1-800-430-7077).

Resources & Assistance for Immigrants