Santa Cruz County is encouraging residents who are eligible for Medi-Cal to enroll in medical, behavioral health and dental benefits before Jan. 1 due to changes with state Medi-Cal access.
For the remainder of the year, residents who do not have legal immigration status will remain eligible to enroll in state-funded Medi-Cal and will have access to the program beyond that date as long as they maintain their enrollment.
Due to state policy changes, residents who do not have proper immigration status and do not enroll before Jan. 1 will no longer have access to full coverage.
“If you already have Medi-Cal or if you enroll before January, you can stay enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of your immigration status, ” said Irma Marquez, director of the county’s human services department’s employment & benefit services division.
Marquez added that Medi-Cal rules are changing for people who are undocumented or who otherwise don’t have legal status and are applying for coverage for the first time after Jan. 1. If residents already have Medi-Cal, they can keep their coverage and continue accessing all Medi-Cal services — such as doctor visits, prescriptions and other health care — as long as they meet mandatory reporting requirements, including completing their renewals.
Residents 18 years old and under, and those who are pregnant who are not currently enrolled, will remain eligible for a full range of Medi-Cal coverage beyond Jan. 1.
Further changes to Medi-Cal coverage for enrollees without proper immigration status are expected next year, including a requirement to renew Medi-Cal every six months and a new $30 monthly premium, which can lead to a loss of coverage if not paid for three consecutive months. If premium costs are repaid within 90 days, an enrollee may be able to regain full medical coverage, but without dental care.
Connie Moreno-Peraza, director of the county health services agency, said in a statement that the county is committed to meeting the basic health care needs of low-income and uninsured residents through its health centers and working with community partners to inform residents about changes affecting their health care access or eligibility.
Find local resources to access critical health care or social safety net services here and state resources at the California Department of Health Care Services.
Free, confidential support for your Medi-Cal enrollment questions can be found through the Santa Cruz County Employment and Benefits Service Division.
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