Getting help for my child

How do I get health care for my child?

Children under 21 years-old may be eligible for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal pays for health care, including regular check-ups. Your child may get Medi-Cal if:

• Your child lives in California
• Your family doesn’t earn more than the limits set by Medi-Cal
• Your child is a US citizen or is a lawful permanent resident (Your child may qualify for emergency care or care for a pregnancy even if they don't meet this requirement. Also, your child may be eligible if they have refugee, asylee or child of a battered spouse status.)

Read Getting Medi-Cal for Your Child Quickly to find out how to sign up. You can also read Get free health services for your child from the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Gateway program.

What if I make too much money for my child to get Medi-Cal?

Healthy Families pays for health services for some children under 19 years old who can’t get other health insurance. Medi-Cal pays for more services than Healthy Families so try to get Medi-Cal first. You have to pay each month to get Healthy Families - the amount can be $4 - $27 for each family. You also have to pay a co-payment, usually $5, for some services.

Who gets Healthy Families?

Your child may if:

• Your child lives in California
• Your family doesn’t earn more or less than the limits set by Healthy Families
• Your child is a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident

For more information about Healthy Families, read Healthy Families: Health Insurance for Your Children. To get an application for Healthy Families, call 1 (888) 747-1222.

For more detailed information on Medi-Cal for Children or Healthy Families, please review our advocate issue briefs. You can also visit the Medi-Cal website or visit the Healthy Families website.

Help for your child brochures

The Health Consumer Alliance has these materials to help you:
Brochures

• Get free health services for your child from the Child Health and Disability Prevention Gateway program
• Getting Medi-Cal for Your Child Quickly
• Healthy Families: Health Insurance for Your Children
• Many legal immigrants can get regular Medi-Cal or Healthy Families
• Medi-Cal Dental Services for Children and Youth
• Undocumented Immigrants can get health care
• What Can I Do If I Get a Medical Bill? What are my rights if I have Medi-Cal?
• What Can I Do If I Get a Medical Bill? What are my rights if my child has Healthy Families?

Issue Briefs

• Advisory on Medi-Cal for Newborns
• AFDC-MN Medi-Cal for Children, Parents and Caregiver Relatives
• Caretaker Relatives and Medi-Cal Eligibility
• EPSDT Quick Reference
• Four-Month Continuing Medi-Cal for Families Receiving Child or Spousal Support
• Health Rights of Children in Foster Care and Other Children Living Away from Home
• Healthy Families Appeal Process Flow Chart
• Healthy Families Application Approval Process Flow Chart
• Medi-Cal & Healthy Families Income Levels
• Medi-Cal Eligibility Flowcharts
• Medi-Cal for Children Turning Age 18 while in Foster Care
• Percent of Poverty Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women & Children
• Section 1931(b) Medi-Cal For Children, Parents & Caretaker Relatives
• Transitional Medi-Cal for Families with Increased Earnings

Which health care program covers my child?

The Health Consumer Alliance helps people get the health care they need. We can help you with your legal problems getting health care. Click on Local Centers to find the health consumer center near you.