Getting help for adults

Medi-Cal is a government program that pays for medical care for certain groups of people who fall within the income guidelines.

Who gets Medi-Cal?

• Children under 21 years-old
• A parent of a child under 21 years-old
• A pregnant teen or adult
• A person who is blind or has a long-term disability
• A person who is over age 65
• A man or woman with breast cancer or a woman with cervical cancer
• A man with prostate cancer

To get Medi-Cal, you also:

• Must live in California
• Must fall within the income and resource limitations
• Must be a US citizen or legal permament resident, (except for emergency care or care for a pregnancy)

For more detailed information, you may also read our Advocates’ issue briefs on Medi-Cal. Or you can read the state’s information about Medi-Cal.

You can apply for Medi-Cal at any county social services office. To find the nearest office see the County Social Services Office Listing.

If you need Medi-Cal for your child right away, read Getting Medi-Cal for Your Child Quickly.

Do I have to get Welfare (CalWORKS) to get Medi-Cal?

No, you may still be able to get Medi-Cal even if you don’t get CalWORKS. For more information read Not Getting Welfare? You Can Still Get Free Medi-Cal.

Can I get help if I’m working?

Yes. You may still be able to get Medi-Cal or other help when you have a job. Read Working People Can Get Help with Health Care.

Can I get care if I am an immigrant?

Yes, you may be able to get Medi-Cal and other programs as an immigrant. Here are several brochures that will answer your questions.

• Many legal immigrants can get regular Medi-Cal or Healthy Families
• Undocumented immigrants can get health care
• Should I worry about public charge?
• Will it hurt my sponsor if I get health care?

For more detailed information on programs for immigrants, you can also read our manual, Immigrants and Health Care.

Help for adults brochures

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

• Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
• Do Not Lose Your Medi-Cal!
• Getting Family Planning with Family PACT
• Getting the Health Care You Need From Your Managed Care Plan
• Getting Prescription Medicine from Medi-Cal
• Medicare Part D Basics
• Medicare Part D with a Medi-Cal Share of Cost
• Medicare Part D: Get “Extra Help”
• Medicare Part D: Exceptions & Appeals
• Medicare Part D: Changing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• Meeting Your Share of Cost for Medi-Cal
• New Medi-Cal Law and Immigrants
• New Medi-Cal Proof of Citizenship Requirements
• Not Getting Welfare? You Can Still Get Free Medi-Cal"?
• What if Medi-Cal Says "No"?
• Working People Can Get Help With Health Care

Issue Briefs

• Caretaker Relatives and Medi-Cal Eligibility
• Medi-Cal & Healthy Families Income Levels
• County Medical Services Program
• HIV Testing of Pregnant Women
• Special Health Resources for Individuals with HIV/AIDS
• Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)
• 250% Working Disabled Medi-Cal Program
• ABD-Medically Needy Medi-Cal for Persons who are Aged, Blind, or have Disabilities
• AFDC-MN Medi-Cal for Children, Parents and Caregiver Relatives
• Accessing Dental Care Through the Denti-Cal Program
• Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
• Inter-County Transfer
• Medicaid Transportation Services
• Medi-Cal Eligibility Flowcharts
• Medi-Cal Program for Aged and Disabled Persons
• Medi-Cal State Residency Requirements
• Percent of Poverty Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women & Children
• The Pickle Program
• Prevent Medi-Cal Terminations: Watch for the New Mid-Year Status Report (MSR's)
• Section 1931(b) Medi-Cal For Children, Parents & Caretaker Relatives
• Transitional Medi-Cal for Families with Increased Earnings
• Overview of the Medi-Cal System

Which health care program covers me?

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