Medi-Cal Eligibility

MediCal covers a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and limited resources. MediCal is paid for with federal and state taxes.

For the purposes of this website, we are talking about seniors needing care.

There’s not one set formula to determine MediCal eligibility. There are many factors that need to be considered.

These factors include income, assets, home ownership, legal relationships with family members, if and how legal documents have been prepared, type and level of care needed, and type of care facility or home care required.

MediCal and MediCaid are the same thing. MediCal is California’s name for its MediCaid program.

How To Determine MediCal Eligibility

To apply for MediCal and determine MediCal Eligibility, you can:

• Complete the application for MediCal yourself either online or in person. Click here to go to the Covered California website.
• If you or your loved one is already in a skilled nursing facility, ask the social services and/or admissions staff if they can help you apply for MediCal.
• Use an experienced, qualified MediCal attorney. Using an attorney is especially important if you have income and assets and/or you have not done any legal planning yet. Some estate planning attorneys are well versed in MediCal, so be sure to ask your personal attorney (if you have one) before you search for someone else.
  As you go through the process of applying for and being accepted for MediCal, remember that in the state of California, MediCal coverage is limited.

For a senior needing care, the only types of facilities that accepts MediCal as payment are skilled nursing centers and a very few assisted living licensed facilities that are part of our assisted living waiver program.

MediCal will also pay for limited in home care assistance through San Diego County’s Aging and Independence Services’ IHSS (In Home Supportive Services) program.