Medi-Cal FAQ

Upcoming Medi-Cal Changes

Effective July 1, 2024, the Fresno County Department of Social Services will no longer send referrals to the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program for households with children between the ages of 0-21 years due to the CHDP program ending.  Medi-Cal households can obtain services for periodic child health assessments, referrals to other providers, care coordination and assistance with medical appointment scheduling, transportation, and access to diagnostic and treatment from their selected Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (Anthem Blue Cross, CalViva, or Kaiser). 

For assistance, the managed care plans can be contacted by phone at the designated numbers below:

  • Anthem Blue Cross  (800) 407-4627  TTY/TDD 711

  • CalViva Health  (888) 893-1569  TTY/TDD (800) 431-0964

  • Kaiser Permanente (855) 839-7613 English; (800) 788-0616 Spanish; (800) 757-7585 Chinese Dialects; TTY/TDD 711

For Medi-Cal members currently in receipt of Fee-for-service Medi-Cal (no managed care plan), for assistance with finding a provider for periodic child health assessments or referrals you may contact the Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal Member Help Line at 1-800-541-5555 or online at www.dhcs.ca.gov/myMedi-Cal.  If you are interested in obtaining the enhanced services offered only by the managed care plans, such as care coordination and transportation to medical appointments, you may contact Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 to enroll into a managed care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults who are California residents with limited income.

Who Can Get Medi-Cal?

You may automatically be eligible for Medi-Cal if you receive cash assistance under one of the following programs:

  • SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program)
  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
  • Refugee Assistance
  • Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program

Even if you don't receive cash assistance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal if you are one of the following: 

  • Adult with or without children 
  • Blind or disabled
  • Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
  • In a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility
  • Refugee with a limited period of eligibility. Adult refugees may or may not be eligible depending upon how long they have been in the U.S.
  • Parent or caretaker relative of a child under 21

What are the Citizenship/Immigration requirements for Medi-Cal?

All individuals who meet all other Medi-Cal eligibility requirements may be eligible to full-scope benefits, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. 

What are Asset (Property/Resource) Limits?  

Asset limits are eliminated as of January 1, 2024.  Any individual requesting Medi-Cal benefits for January 2024 and later, property limits will no longer be required to be met for an eligibility determination. For individuals requesting any of the Non-Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medi-Cal programs, listed below, for any months prior to January 2024, such as any months in 2023 must meet the asset (property/resource) limits.

  • Aged. Blind, Disabled (ABD) Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Programs
  • 250 Percent Working Disabled Program (WDP)
  • Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
  • Home and Community-Based Alternative Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
  • Medically Needy Programs
  • Pickle
  • Disabled Adult Child (DAC)
  • Disabled Widow(er)s (DW)
  • Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
  • Qualified Working Disabled Individual (QWDI)
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

See below for the asset limits based on number of individuals in your Medi-Cal household.

Number of Persons

Property Limit
1 $130,000
Each additional person up to 10 Add $65,000

 

How Do I Make Sure I Receive Important Information On My Medi-Cal Coverage?

It is important that DSS has your current contact information to ensure your receive all pertinent information on how to maintain your benefits.  If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information as soon as possible by contacting DSS in one of the following ways:

Online:  BenefitsCal.com

Mail:  Fresno County Department of Social Services P.O. BOX 1912 Fresno, CA 93718

Fax:  (559) 600-7706

How Do I Apply For Medi-Cal in Fresno County?

Why Did I receive a Medi-Cal Renewal Form? 

 An annual renewal of Medi-Cal benefits must be completed every 12 months.  60 days before the end of the 12 months, Medi-Cal individuals will receive a renewal form and/or a request for information by mail from DSS.  Medi-Cal individuals who receive the renewal form and/or request for additional information from DSS will be required to return the form and/or information by the specified due date.  You may return the form and/or information online, by mail, or fax.  If you have any questions about your renewals, please contact Fresno County DSS using one of the methods listed below:

  • Online:  BenefitsCal.com
  • Mail:   Fresno County Department of Social Services PO BOX 1912 Fresno CA 93718
  • Fax:   559-600-7706
  • Automated system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll free: 1 (877) 600-1377
  • Speak to a Worker Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: (559) 600-1377 or 1-855-832-8082 (toll free) 

 

Back to top