In California, Medicaid goes by the name Medi-Cal. It’s administered by the state of California and receives support from the federal government. Medi-Cal helps low-income Californians access health care, including primary care, hospital services, nursing care, prescription medications and other services such as holistic and chiropractic care. Many seniors citizens in California access health care via the Medi-Cal system.
To qualify for coverage as a senior citizen, applicants must be at least 65 years old. Seniors are also required to meet the following financial requirements:
- Individuals are limited to a monthly income of $1,242 and $2,000 in countable assets
- Married applicants are limited to a monthly income of $1,682 and $3,000 in countable assets
While Medi-Cal counts all income sources, asset limitations exclude the applicant’s home, vehicle and personal belongings.
California’s Medi-Cal spend-down program may help some seniors who don’t meet these financial requirements to access Medi-Cal. The program allows those with high medical bills to use their excess income to pay for their health expenses before counting their income toward the program’s eligibility requirements.
To apply for Medi-Cal, seniors can
complete an application online or contact
Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
Assisted Living Waiver The Medi-Cal
Assisted Living waiver helps Medi-Cal-eligible seniors pay for the cost of assisted living, which isn’t covered under the state plan. It pays for the cost of services provided in licensed assisted living facilities as well as nonmedical transportation and transitional costs for seniors who are moving from a nursing care facility. Seniors who participate in the Assisted Living waiver must pay for their own room and board.
To qualify for this waiver, seniors must be fully eligible for the state Medi-Cal plan with zero share of cost. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and require a level of care that’s similar to what’s provided by nursing facilities. While this waiver covers the cost of care for all California residents, it doesn’t cover assisted living in the entire state. Therefore, seniors who apply must be willing to relocate to an assisted living facility in one of the following counties, many of which are located near El Dorado Hills:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Fresno
- Kern
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Sonoma
Seniors living in El Dorado Hills can apply for the Assisted Living waiver by contacting
Star Nursing, Inc. in Folsom at (916) 542-1445.