While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.
The California Medicaid program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services. Learn more about Medicaid in California on the Department of Health Care Services website here.
Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider networks and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services to help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.
Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:
*Additional services, such as nursing homes or personal care services, may be available to those who have special needs.
Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:
Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in California on the Covered California Coverage Basics page here.
Medicaid recipients in California may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premiums range from $0 to $39. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income.
Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.
Learn more about Medicaid premiums and copayments in the California My Medi-Cal Booklet here on page 8.
To qualify for Medicaid in California, you must meet all of the following:
Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in California here.
Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.
Find further information on California Medicaid eligibility here.
To apply for Medicaid in California, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Covered California Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
Covered California
P.O. Box 989725
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9725
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Office.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call Covered California’s toll-free number at (800) 300-1506.
To apply for Medicaid by fax, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and fax it with the necessary documents to (888) 329-3700.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555.
Or, contact your nearest local California DHCS Office. Find contact information for local DHS offices in California here.
California Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
Find the name, address or telephone number change form here. After completing the form, mail it to your nearest DHCS office.
For all other changes that affect income or household size, contact your local DHCS office in person or by phone. Find contact information for local DHCS offices in California here.
You can check the status of your Medicaid application online or by phone:
The California Department of Health Care Services will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. California will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 45 days to process a Medicaid application. If you apply for Medi-Cal based on disability, it may take up to 90 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must call your local DHCS office or send a written appeal request within 60 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can submit your written appeal request in the following ways:
California Department of Social Services
Public Inquiry and Response
P.O. Box 944243, M.S. 9-17-37
Sacramento, CA 83720-0009
The California Department of Health Care Services will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the California My Medi-Cal Booklet here on pages 19 and 20.
California Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within California, you can update your address by completing the name, address or telephone number change form here. After completing the form, mail it to your nearest DHCS office. Find contact information for local DHCS offices in California here.
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the California Department of Health Care Services:
California Department of Health Care Services
1501 Capitol AvenueSacramento, CA 95814
You can also visit or call a local DHCS office for further assistance. Find your nearest Health and Welfare Office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 20, 2022
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To apply for Medicaid in California, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the Covered California Benefits Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
Covered California
P.O. Box 989725
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9725
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Office.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call Covered California’s toll-free number at (800) 300-1506.
To apply for Medicaid by fax, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and fax it with the necessary documents to (888) 329-3700.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555.
Or, contact your nearest local California DHCS Office. Find contact information for local DHS offices in California here.
California Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
Find the name, address or telephone number change form here. After completing the form, mail it to your nearest DHCS office.
For all other changes that affect income or household size, contact your local DHCS office in person or by phone. Find contact information for local DHCS offices in California here.
You can check the status of your Medicaid application online or by phone:
The California Department of Health Care Services will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. California will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes approximately 45 days to process a Medicaid application. If you apply for Medi-Cal based on disability, it may take up to 90 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must call your local DHCS office or send a written appeal request within 60 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can submit your written appeal request in the following ways:
California Department of Social Services
Public Inquiry and Response
P.O. Box 944243, M.S. 9-17-37
Sacramento, CA 83720-0009
The California Department of Health Care Services will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the California My Medi-Cal Booklet here on pages 19 and 20.
California Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within California, you can update your address by completing the name, address or telephone number change form here. After completing the form, mail it to your nearest DHCS office. Find contact information for local DHCS offices in California here.
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the California Department of Health Care Services:
California Department of Health Care Services
1501 Capitol AvenueSacramento, CA 95814
You can also visit or call a local DHCS office for further assistance. Find your nearest Health and Welfare Office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 20, 2022
