Medicaid, also known as Medi-Cal in California, is a national health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families. It’s funded by the federal and state governments and covers necessary health benefits, such as:
- Outpatient services
- Hospitalization
- Prescription drugs
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Lab services
- Chronic disease management
Qualify for Medi-Cal To qualify for Medi-Cal, applicants cannot earn more than $16,395 annually or approximately $1,271 per month, and couples can’t earn more than $22,108 per year ($1,720 monthly). Each additional person in the family adds $5,700 to the annual limit. There’s also an asset cap of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 per couple. Individuals may also qualify for Medi-Cal if they are:
- Aged 65 or older or younger than 20
- Blind, disabled or pregnant
- Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
- In a nursing or intermediate care home
- A refugee in the United States for a limited time
Medi-Cal doesn’t pay for assisted living facilities, but certain waivers can help seniors who need help paying for these services.
Multipurpose Senior Services Program Another waiver option is the
Multipurpose Senior Services Program. This waiver covers a variety of services to delay placement in a nursing home, including personal care services, a personal emergency response system and meal services. To qualify for the MSSP waiver, the individual must be 65 years of age or older, require nursing home care and live in a county with an MSSP site.
While there is no site in Pomona, there are two nearby in Los Angeles: AltaMed and the Jewish Family Services of LA. To sign up for the MSSP waiver, call (800) 510-2020.