Nearly one in five California residents are covered under Medicaid, the national health insurance program that helps low-income, low-asset Americans access basic health care. Medicaid funding comes from the state and federal government and each state administers their own Medicaid program.
The California Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal and it’s administered through the California Department of Health Care Services. Coverage includes benefits that are deemed to be medically necessary, including outpatient clinic services, emergency services and rehab services and devices. For seniors, Medi-Cal may also provide coverage for long-term services, such as placement in a skilled nursing facility, home and community based supports and assisted living.
California residents who receive Social Security Income (SSI) payments automatically qualify for free Medi-Cal coverage, while adults aged 65 and older who meet strict income and asset limits may also be eligible for no-cost coverage under Medi-Cal.
Seniors need to earn less than $1,242 a month for a single, and $1,682 per month for a couple to qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. They also need to own fewer than $2,000 in countable assets when applying as an individual, or $3,000 when applying with a spouse.
Note: California Medi-Cal does not place an upper limit on the value of an applicant’s principal residence, which qualifies as an excluded asset. Medi-Cal enrollment is open year-round.
For help enrolling in Medi-Cal, contact Ventura County Health and Human Services at (805) 654-5000.
At this time, Ventura County does not participate in the California Assisted Living Waiver program, however, that may change as the ALW is currently under review by the California Department of Health Care Services.
The Multipurpose Senior Services Program
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging does offer a Multipurpose Senior Services Program which provides Medi-Cal eligible seniors who have nursing home level care needs with care management and support services in an assisted living facility.
Through the MSSP, seniors are provided with a personalized care plan developed by a designated registered nurse or social worker in consultation with the senior and their family. Services may include:
- Medically-necessary equipment, such as wheelchairs, canes, raised toilet seats and bath chairs
- A medic alert system, access ramps and heaters or fans
- Homemaker services
- Personal care to assist with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and grooming
- Transportation
- Adult day services
- Assistance accessing community services
Note that the MSSP is currently capped at 160 client slots in Ventura County, and qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list. The number of MSSP client slots is subject to change based on regular reviews by the Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Aging.
To learn more about the MSSP, contact the
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Case Manager at (805) 477-7325 or (805) 477-7300.