Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, is a public insurance health care program which provides health care services for low-income individuals and families who meet defined eligibility requirements.
What is the process?
How to Apply
You can apply for Medi-Cal by:
- Phone, Fax, In Person
- See the Locations, directions and hours of operations for each office below
- Online
- AVOID SCAMS: Medi-Cal will NEVER ask for money to enroll or renew coverage. To report scams, call 1-800-822-6222.
Verification of Information
Once a Medi-Cal Application is received the information verified, that information is then compared to the criteria of the many different Medi-Cal programs available.
Getting Notified
Once the application has been processed, a Notice of Action will be sent to you about whether the Medi-Cal application has been approved or denied.
Next Steps After Approval
If eligible, the Approval Notice of Action will have instructions on how to use Medi-Cal. You will also separately receive important documents/cards for your coverage:
- A plastic Benefits Identification Card called a BIC
- Keep this card even if your Medi-Cal discontinues
- If a new BIC is needed, contact the worker listed on the Notice of Action
- A welcome packet including an eligibility card from CenCal, San Luis Obispo County’s Managed Care company
Who is eligible?
Medi-Cal is available to low income families, children, pregnant women, childless adults and aged and disabled adults.
Is there a charge for this service?
While many Medi-Cal programs do not have a cost, others have premiums and share of cost amounts. These amounts vary depending on the program eligible to, the countable income and household size. These amounts can also be different for different individuals in the household.
When and where is this service offered?
Applications for programs can be done by phone, fax, online, and in person at any of the six Department of Social Service Offices or online at www.coveredca.com or BenefitsCal. Offices are open 8-5 Monday – Friday excluding holidays
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
Monday - Friday 8-5
1086 East Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Tel: (805) 474-2000
Monday - Friday 8-5
9630 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
Tel: (805) 461-6000
Monday - Friday 8-5
600 Quintana Road
Morro Bay , CA 93442
Tel: (805) 772-6405
Fax: (805) 772-6409
Monday - Friday 8-5
681 West Tefft Street Suite 1
Nipomo, CA 93444
Tel: (805) 931-1800
Monday - Friday 8-5
406 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Tel: (805) 237-3110
Monday - Friday 8-5
3433 South Higuera
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tel: (805) 781-1600
FAQs
No, only some programs required property limits/asset tests for Medi-Cal Programs.
Yes, Medi-Cal allows three (3) months of potential retroactive eligibility, if there are medical expenses in those months, and eligibility to the program exists. An application for retroactive coverage must be submitted within one year of the month for which retroactive coverage is requested.
For children's Medi-Cal programs that have a premium, the premium is $13 per child up to three (3) children, a maximum of $39 per household. Households with more than 3 children in a premium program still only pay $39.
Medi-Cal can be used for allowable medical services with providers who accept it. Providers can include hospitals, physicians, pharmacies and durable medical equipment. The following may be covered:
- Outpatient (ambulatory) services
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
- Prescription drugs
- Programs such as physical and occupational therapy (known as rehabilitative and habilitative services) and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Children’s services, including oral and vision care