How Can I Tell If I'm Eligible for Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is a public health insurance program that's California's version of the federal Medicaid program. Medi-Cal provides services to people with low incomes, particularly the elderly, disabled, families with children and people with specific diseases that include cancer, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The program, which is financed through both the state and federal governments, is administered by county health offices throughout the state.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the website of the California Department of Health Care Services to find the eligibility criteria. Visit the site's home page and click the tab in the top left corner labeled "Services." On the "Services" page, find the section labeled "Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal," and click the "Medi-Cal" link.

• 2

  Click the link on the "Medi-Cal" page labeled "Apply for Medi-Cal." The link is on the far left side of the page under a vertical list titled "Quick Links." On the "Apply for Medi-Cal" page, there is a list of links under the title "Getting Started." Scan the list for the link called "Find Out If I Qualify," and click that link.

• 3

  Read the criteria list on the "Find Out If I Qualify" page. The list shows all the requirements for Medi-Cal eligibility. It tells which assistance programs you can be on and automatically qualify for Medi-Cal, along with describing other qualification criteria.

• 4

  Contact your county office for more information. To find your local office, click the link at the bottom of the Medi-Cal eligibility criteria list page that's labeled "county office." You'll be brought to a page with the names, street addresses and phone numbers of all the county health/social services offices in the state. Scan the list for the office in your area, copy the contact information, then call the office or visit its website for more information on eligibility and applying in your region.