There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.
Medicare provides health coverage to individuals 65 and older or those with a severe disability regardless of income, whereas Medi-Cal (California's state-run and funded Medicaid program) provides health coverage to those families with very low income, as well as pregnant women and the blind, among others.
$577 billion
Total federal and state Medicaid spending was $577 billion in FY 2017. Medicaid is the third-largest domestic program in the federal budget, after Social Security and Medicare, accounting for 9.5% of federal spending in FY 2017.
Medi-Cal is California's part of a national health coverage program called Medicaid. Each state runs its own Medicaid program. The states have to follow certain national Medicaid rules, but they have flexibility in how they run their programs.
Medicaid beneficiaries generally must be residents of the state in which they are receiving Medicaid. They must be either citizens of the United States or certain qualified non-citizens, such as lawful permanent residents. In addition, some eligibility groups are limited by age, or by pregnancy or parenting status.
People who qualify for both Medicare and full Medi-Cal are known as “dual eligibles” or “Medi-Medis.”
Your family size: | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
---|---|
Income limits for your family: | |
$12,880 | |
$4,540 | |
$12,880 |
Violating this look back period, knowingly or unknowing, can result in a period of Medicaid eligibility. Because of this look back period, the agency that governs the state's Medicaid program will ask for financial statements (checking, savings, IRA, etc.) for 60-months immediately preceeding to one's application date.
State | California |
---|---|
Parents (Family of 3) | 138.00% |
Other Adults | 138.00% |
2022 Pop. | 39,664,128 |
If a person has more than the limit for a whole month, Medi-Cal benefits will be discontinued. A person's home, furnishings, personal items, and one motor vehicle are not counted. A single person is allowed to keep $2,000 in property/assets, more if they are married and/or have a family.
Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost health coverage for California residents who meet eligibility requirements. Most applicants who apply through Covered California and enroll in Medi-Cal will receive care through managed health plans. Medi-Cal eligibility to include low-income adults.
According to Covered California income guidelines and salary restrictions, if an individual makes less than $47,520 per year or if a family of four earns wages less than $97,200 per year, then they qualify for government assistance based on their income.
For 2 adults, monthly MAGI Medi-Cal for 2022 increased to $2,106, from $2004 in 2021. The annual income for 2 adults to remain eligible for MAGI Medi-Cal means they will have to have a household income under $25,268. The 2021 annual income amount for 2 adults was $24,040.
What Assets are Exempt from Medicaid?
Does Social Security Count as Income for Medicaid Eligibility? Most Social Security disability and retirement income does count as income for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.
For Non-MAGI Medi-Cal, PUA benefits are counted as income, and if retained, these benefits are counted as property the following month.. For Covered California programs, the taxable portion is counted in the eligibility determination.
Adults are eligible for Medi-Cal if their monthly income is 138 percent or less of the FPL. For dependents under the age of 19, a household income of 266 percent or less makes them eligible for Medi-Cal. A single adult can earn up to $17,775 in 2021 and still qualify for Medi-Cal.
You will continue to keep your Medi-Cal coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), even if you no longer qualify.
People who are unemployed may be able to get a health plan through Covered California that includes savings based on your household size and income. You or your family members could also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal.
2021:
Family Size (Persons in Family/Household) | Annual Family Income | |
---|---|---|
HUD Low Income Level | Federal Poverty Level* | |
1 | $66,250 | $12,880 |
2 | $75,700 | $17,420 |
3 | $85,150 | $21,960 |
Medi-Cal offers low-cost or free health coverage to eligible Californian residents with limited income. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace where Californians can shop for health plans and access financial assistance if they qualify for it.
The income limits based on household size are: One person: $17,609. Two people: $23,792. Three people: $29,974.