 | | | Aged & Disabled Medi-Cal: Frequently Asked Questions | | | | | | | | |
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1) What is Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal provides free, full scope Medi-Cal services for disabled or aged individuals who meet the income and asset requirements of the program. Blind people are also eligible, but must be determined disabled. |
2) Does what I have in the bank and/or what I own, such as my home or car, affect my eligibility for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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Yes. You are allowed to have assets up to $2,000 in value ($3,000 for a couple). Some of your assets, like your home and car, are not counted for this program. Click here for a list of additional exemptions. Assets may include:
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checking and savings accounts;
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the value of stocks, bonds, and trust deeds;
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additional cars or recreational vehicles; and
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promissory notes and loans that are payable to you.
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3) Is Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal referred to in other ways? |
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Yes. This Medi-Cal eligibility category has been referred to as “Aged, Blind and Disabled Medi-Cal” and was once called “133% Medi-Cal” when it began in January 2001.
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4) Is this the only way to qualify for Medi-Cal? |
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No. There are different ways you can qualify for Medi-Cal. Each Medi-Cal eligibility category has unique requirements. Besides the Aged and Disabled FPL program, DB101 has detailed information on the following Medi-Cal programs:
For information on other eligibility categories, speak with a Benefits Planner or a Medi-Cal eligibility worker.
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5) How do I qualify financially for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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To qualify for the Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal, an individual's monthly total countable income (minus a Maintenance Needs Allowance and any health, vision, and dental insurance premiums) must be less than $1,081 through 3/31/2009 ($1,502 for a couple through 9/30/2008). |
6) How much does Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal cost? |
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Nothing. There are no premiums or deductibles for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal.
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7) What services does Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal provide? |
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You may also have access to other Medi-Cal programs, including:
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8) What prescription drug coverage comes with Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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You will be covered for drugs that are on Medi-Cal's approved list of prescription drugs. If you have both Medi-Cal and Medicare, the list of drugs that are covered depends on which plan you are enrolled in under Medicare Part D.
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9) How do I apply for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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To apply for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal, go to your county Medi-Cal office and submit an application. Medi-Cal provides applications in eleven languages. You can download an application online, but you must still submit it in person or by U.S. mail. |
10) How soon after applying will I be eligible for benefits from Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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On average, processing of an application takes between 30 to 90 days. The eligibility worker may enroll you in the program without conducting a medical determination of disability. For example, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries have already met the disability rules for this program and do not need a disability determination.
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11) Can I qualify for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal while I am eligible for private health coverage? |
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Yes. Your enrollment in private health coverage will not jeopardize your participation in Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. Obtaining private health coverage may allow you to access providers or services you may not have had available to you on Medi-Cal alone. If you have private health coverage and are eligible for Medi-Cal, you may qualify for the Medi-Cal/HIPP program, which can pay for your insurance premiums.
When using private health coverage and Medi-Cal simultaneously, the private health coverage is billed first. After the private health carrier pays or denies a claim, Medi-Cal is then billed and will pay for services it covers.
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12) How do I stay enrolled/eligible in Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? How often do I need to reapply? |
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As long as you continue to meet disability and financial requirements, you will continue to be eligible for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. This program verifies assets, income and earnings annually. If you get a job or your circumstances change, you may want to consider accessing Medi-Cal through another eligibility category (see FAQ 6).
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13) Are there rules for immigrants to qualify for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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14) Can I receive Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal if I am married? |
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Yes. If you are married and both you and your spouse are eligible for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level (A & D FPL) Medi-Cal, then the income level for two people ($1,502 through 9/30/2008) is used. If your spouse is not eligible for A & D FPL Medi-Cal, then Medi-Cal uses deeming rules to determine if you are eligible for the program. Contact your local county Medi-Cal office for more information about how deeming rules work and how they can affect your eligibility for this program.
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15) Can I work and receive Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal? |
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Yes. You can work and continue to be eligible for Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal if your monthly total countable income (minus a Maintenance Need Allowance and health, vision, and dental insurance premiums) remains below $1,081 for an individual through 3/31/2009, or $1,502 for a couple (through 9/30/2008).
When determining eligibility in the program, Medi-Cal does not consider the entire amount of your earnings. Instead, they use a countable income calculation. See the program description or glossary entry for more information.
If you are working, Medi-Cal’s 250% California Working Disabled (250% CWD) Program may be a way to access Medi-Cal while earning income.
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