California's public health insurance program, known as Medi-Cal, provides healthcare services for low-income individuals and families. This includes seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and individuals with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS. Medi-Cal is jointly financed by the state and federal governments.

Medi-Cal provides a set of essential health benefits, including the following categories:

1. Outpatient (Ambulatory) Services: Services provided to patients who receive care without hospital admission, including doctor's visits, clinics, and same-day surgeries.
2. Emergency Services: Care provided in a medical emergency to evaluate and treat acute illnesses and injuries.
3. Hospitalization: Medical care provided when a patient is admitted to a hospital, including surgeries, overnight treatments, and other inpatient services.
4. Maternity and Newborn Care: Comprehensive care services for pregnant women, including prenatal, labor, delivery, postnatal care, and newborn health services.
5. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services: Treatment and counseling for mental health and substance abuse disorders, including behavioral therapy and inpatient services.
6. Prescription Drugs: Coverage for prescribed medications, including generic and brand-name drugs, as determined by the health plan.
7. Rehabilitative & Habilitative Services and Devices: Helping people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions recover mental and physical skills.
8. Laboratory Services: Medical lab services like blood tests, biopsies, and other diagnostic tests to assess health and diagnose conditions.
9. Preventive and Wellness Services & Chronic Disease Management: Regular health check-ups, screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management to prevent or manage health conditions.
10. Children's (Pediatric) Services, including Oral and Vision Care: Health services specifically for children, including regular check-ups, dental care, and vision care.

Visit the Medi-Cal Health Benefits website to learn more about the service in each Medi-Cal category.

The eligibility criteria for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, can be summarized as follows:

Age and Special Conditions

• Individuals aged 65 or older
• People who are blind
• Individuals who are disabled
• Individuals under the age of 21
• Pregnant women
• Residents in a skilled nursing or intermediate care home
• Individuals on refugee status for a certain period based on their length of stay in the United States
• Parents or caretaker relatives of an age-eligible child
• Individuals who have been screened for breast and/or cervical cancer under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program

Income-Based Eligibility

• Eligibility can also be determined based on annual or yearly income, with specific thresholds that vary depending on household size and income. View the income limit chart here.

Enrollment in Other Assistance Programs

• Individuals enrolled in assistance programs like CalFresh, SSI/SSP, CalWorks (AFDC), Refugee Assistance, and the Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program are also eligible for Medi-Cal.

For more detailed information, contact your local County office.

To apply for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, you have several options:

Apply by mail

Use the Medi-Cal Single Streamlined Application, available in English and other languages. You can find the application here.

For mailing purposes, use the following addresses:

1. Medi-Cal Eligibility Division: P.O. Box 997417, MS 4607, Sacramento, CA 95899-7417
2. Department of Health Care Services: Medi-Cal Eligibility Division, 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814

Apply in person

Visit your nearest county social services office to apply for Medi-Cal. Locate your nearest office here.

Apply online

Apply through the Covered California website at https://www.coveredca.com/. Online applications are securely transferred to your local county social services office.

If you need help with the application process or have questions, you can contact a Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) for free assistance. Find a local CEC here or call 1-800-300-1506. Avoid submitting duplicate applications if you have already applied online and are waiting for a response.

Apply by phone

Call your local county social services office to apply over the phone. Find the contact information for your local office here.

Medi-Cal renewals are conducted once a year, with each member having a different renewal date. You'll receive a letter informing you of your specific due date, or you can check this date online through BenefitsCal or MyBenefitsCalWIN. 

Renewing your Medi-Cal coverage can be done through several methods. The most efficient way is online, either via BenefitsCal or MyBenefitsCalWIN. Determine which site to use here.

Alternatively, you can renew by mail, following the instructions on your renewal form, or over the phone by calling the number provided. However, this may involve long wait times. In-person renewal is also an option at your local Medi-Cal office, but be aware that each office may have different procedures and potential wait times.

Not all Medi-Cal members need to complete a renewal form. Local Medi-Cal offices review existing information and check other government databases to confirm eligibility. You will receive a notice if they can automatically renew your coverage, and no further action is required. However, some members will need to provide additional information and will receive a renewal form in a bright yellow envelope, which must be completed and returned with any requested documentation.

Applying for and renewing Medi-Cal is free, and you have the right to receive services in your preferred language. For more detailed information or assistance, it's best to contact your local Medi-Cal office or refer to the online resources provided.