Beginning May 1, California's health coverage program for low-income individuals and families will expand eligibility for full Medi-Cal coverage to those over 50 regardless of immigration status, benefiting more than 185,000 people.
“This is an investment in our people, our economy, and our future. But we won’t stop there. California is on track to expand Medi-Cal to all eligible Californians, regardless of age or immigration status, providing the most comprehensive health coverage in the country,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Last year, Newsom signed legislation making California the first state in the nation to expand full Medi-Cal eligibility to those 50 and older regardless of immigration status and low income, and in 2022 he has proposed ‒subject to legislative approval‒ that the health program be extended to all eligible residents, regardless of age or immigration status.
The expansion population includes individuals age 50 or older who are eligible for Medi-Cal, do not have satisfactory immigration status or cannot establish one for the full program.
It also includes people age 50 or older who are currently enrolled in restricted scope Medi-Cal.
In light of this, all residents aged 50 or older, regardless of their immigration status, who have not applied for Medi-Cal can do so starting May 1. To apply and learn about the forms, you can give click here.
“We are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion on behalf of all Californians,” said Michelle Baass, Director of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). “This action reflects our core belief that all Californians deserve quality health care.”
Many of the residents in that older population have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have had limited access to care.
The expansion will improve access to preventive and routine care, enhance financial security for those who enroll, and strengthen California's efforts to address health disparities and inequities, especially among populations of color, the governor said.
Of note, in May 2016, children under the age of 19 became eligible for full Medi-Cal benefits, and in January 2020, the full program was extended to young adults ages 19 to 25, regardless of immigration status.
Previously, these individuals only qualified for limited Medi-Cal services, such as emergency, prenatal and long-term care.
They can now access the full range of benefits available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including quality health services, behavioral health, substance abuse disorder services, and dental services at no cost or at low cost through the program's various delivery systems.
“These Californians now have one place where they can coordinate all of their medical, dental, mental health and substance use disorder needs, and a primary care physician to better manage their health conditions,” said Jacey Cooper, state Medicaid director.
The next step in California’s coverage expansion, subject to legislative approval, is outlined in the Governor’s 2022-23 budget, which proposes expanding Medi-Cal coverage to an estimated 700,000 adults ages 26-49 without satisfactory immigration status, effective as soon as practicable before January 1, 2024.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services do NOT consider health, food and housing services as part of the public charge determination. Therefore, using Medi-Cal benefits — except for nursing home or mental health facility care — will NOT harm a person’s immigration status, the Newsom administration stressed.
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