Medi-Cal for Low-Income People with Medicare
Medi-Cal is the Medicaid program in California which provides health coverage to people who meet certain eligibility requirements and have low-income and asset levels. In some cases Medi-Cal recipients also qualify for Medicare. These individuals are called dual eligibles.
“If you’re 65 or older and not eligible for Supplemental Security Income, you may be able to get Medi-Cal through the Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level program,” suggests Alan Weinstock, an insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com.
Senior Dual Eligibles May Qualify for Medi-Cal and Medicare
If you are 65 years or older, have less than $2,000 in assets for an individual ($3,000 for a couple), and have less than $1,133 in countable monthly income for an individual ($1,525 for a couple), you may be able to get Medi-Cal along with your Medicare through the Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level (A&D FPL) program.
Medi-Cal is health coverage funded by both California and the federal government. Medi-Cal provides coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, and other medical services. Some Medi-Cal programs provide access to all of these services (full-scope Medi-Cal), while others only provide some of them (partial-scope Medi-Cal).
What Qualifies as Countable Assets?
To determine if you qualify for Medi-Cal, you have to look at your countable asset levels. While you may have up to $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 in assets as a couple, there are some personal assets that are not included when determining whether you qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Here are some examples that do not count:
1. Your primary home
2. One vehicle
3. Household goods and personal belonging
4. Life-insurance policy with a face value of $1,500 per person
5. Prepaid burial plan (unlimited if irrevocable or up to $1,500 if revocable) and burial plot
If you meet the countable monthly income previously stated and are not eligible for SSI, you may be able to get Medi-Cal along with your Medicare through the Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level (A&D FPL) program.
Are You Eligible for Supplemental Security Income?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program administered through Social Security. It provides monthly payments to people who are 65 or older, blind and/or disabled and have limited incomes and resources.
You may be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked or paid taxes. You can also be eligible for SSI while receiving social security benefits. SSI is designed to supplement the limited monthly income a person already receives, up to an amount adjusted annually by the state. Generally, to be eligible for SSI payments you must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain requirements for non-citizenship. In California, a person with SSI automatically qualifies for full Medi-Cal.
To be eligible for SSI your income as a single has to be no more than $845/month (up to $1,407.20/month for couples). Higher income levels apply for individuals who are blind.
Medigap insurance can give what the original Medicare Supplement cannot and this is a very effective advantage of the Medigap insurance California.
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