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.

Medi-Cal Rights & Responsibilities (audio only)

Medi-Cal Rights & Responsibilities (Spanish) (audio only)

What is the process?

How to Apply

You can apply for Medi-Cal by:


AVOID SCAMS: Medi-Cal will NEVER ask for money to enroll or renew coverage. To report scams, call 1-800-822-6222.

Submitting Documents

You may need to provide proof of the information on your application, such as current income. You will receive a request for what proof is needed with a due date. 

It is important to provide what is requested as soon as possible. Documents can be submitted online, in person or by mail in the same way you submitted your application.

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?

Medi-Cal does not have a premium or charge for the service. However, certain Medi-Cal programs do have a Share of Cost (SOC). The SOC is a monthly deductible in a dollar amount that an individual or household would have to pay in medical expenses before Medi-Cal covers the costs. Not all cases will have a SOC.

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, as of January 1st, 2024, property is no longer used to determine if someone is eligible for Medi-Cal.

Your local Medi-Cal office reviews eligibility once a year. Your case will be assigned a renewal date once approved. Not every case will have the same renewal date. Many cases will be auto-renewed as some information can be electronically verified by the county. If not, the county will mail out a packet to be filled out by you and returned with any necessary verifications. 
  • Make sure to update the county with any address changes and check your mail for important documentation sent to you.

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.

Medi-Cal is available to low-income families, children, pregnant women, childless adults under a certain income limit, as well as adults over the age of 65 and disabled individuals.

  • Individuals aged 1 to 64 with income below a certain limit based on the federal poverty level can qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. 
  • Adults over the age of 65 and those that are disabled can be eligible for Medi-Cal without an income limit.

For the current income limits and other eligibility criteria, visit dhcs.ca.gov/individuals.

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
Cencal is the Managed Care company that administers Medi-Cal benefits in San Luis Obispo County. They provide accessible and cost-effective health care, including helping recipients with: 
  • Finding doctors, pharmacies and health education programs
  • Care coordination • Ongoing referrals to specialists 
  • 24-hour Nurse Advice telephone services 
For more information, visit Cencalhealth.org or call (877) 814-1861.