Medi-Cal

medi cal

Medi-Cal is California’s version of the Federal Medicaid program. Medi-Cal offers no-cost and low-cost health coverage to eligible people who live in California.

If your contact information has changed, please contact the Medi-Cal office to report the change.

doctor with patient

You can apply for Medi-Cal at any time by mail, phone, fax, online or in person.

Mail

Applications may be mailed to the county at:

Stanislaus County CSA
PO Box 42
Modesto, CA 95353-0042


Phone

Applications may be initiated by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-877-652-0734

Fax

Applications may be faxed to 209-558-2189

Online

Online applications can be completed at:


In Person

Applications can be taken or dropped off in person at any of CSA’s offices:
  • CSA Main Office - 251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
  • CSA Housing & Homeless Access Center - 912 D Street, Modesto, CA (Homeless Customers only)
  • CSA South County Service Center - 1310 West Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380
  • CSA East County Service Center - 1405 West F Street, Ste #1, Oakdale, CA 95361
  • CSA West County Service Center - 101 W. Las Palmas Ave, Patterson, CA 95363

Paper applications may be obtained in various languages at: DHCS.CA.GOV

Frequently Asked Questions

Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost health coverage for California residents who meet eligibility requirements. Most applicants who qualify for Medi-Cal will receive care through managed health plans.

Medi-Cal has always covered eligible low-income children, pregnant women and families. On January 1, 2014, California expanded Medi-Cal eligibility to include low-income adults. You can apply for Medi-Cal benefits regardless of your sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status.

Medi-Cal has several different programs with different requirements and each person's circumstances are unique. In general, anyone can apply at any time. You must be a resident of Stanislaus County, provide your Social Security number (if you have one) and provide your immigration/citizenship status. Your Case Manager will let you know what other information needs to be provided to determine your eligibility.

You can apply for Medi-Cal at any time by mail, phone, fax, online or in person.

Mail

Applications may be mailed to the county at:

Stanislaus County CSA
PO Box 42
Modesto, CA 95353-0042

Phone

Applications may be initiated by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-877-652-0734

Fax

Applications may be faxed to 209-558-2189

Online

Online applications can be completed at:


In Person

Applications can be taken or dropped off in person at any of CSA’s offices:
  • CSA Main Office - 251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
  • CSA Housing & Homeless Access Center - 912 D Street, Modesto, CA (Homeless Customers only)
  • CSA South County Service Center - 1310 West Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380
  • CSA East County Service Center - 1405 West F Street, Ste #1, Oakdale, CA 95361
  • CSA West County Service Center - 101 W. Las Palmas Ave, Patterson, CA 95363

Paper applications may be obtained in various languages at: DHCS.CA.GOV

Applications can be taken or dropped off in person at any of CSA’s offices:

  • CSA Main Office - 251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
  • CSA Housing & Homeless Access Center - 912 D Street, Modesto, CA (Homeless Customers only)
  • CSA South County Service Center - 1310 West Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380
  • CSA East County Service Center - 1405 West F Street, Ste #1, Oakdale, CA 95361
  • CSA West County Service Center - 101 W. Las Palmas Ave, Patterson, CA 95363

Paper applications may be obtained in various languages at: DHCS.CA.GOV

The Community Services Agency offices are open from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Individuals applying for Medi-Cal programs may be asked to provide proof of:

  • Social Security Number (if you have one)
  • California Residency
  • Age
  • Income
  • Citizenship/legal resident status*
  • Number of people in your household
  • Tax filing status
  • Other Health Coverage
  • If you have a child with an absent parent, you may be asked to co-operate with the Dept. of Child Support Services for Medical support.
  • Property (for certain Medi-Cal Programs)**
  • Disability
  • Medicare

*Until January 1, 2024, individuals who are unable to provide proof of satisfactory immigration status may be eligible for restricted Medi-Cal to cover: Pregnancy, emergency services, long term care. After January 1, 2024, all individuals eligible to Medi-Cal will receive full Medi-Cal benefits regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. Information will continue to be collected but will not impact determination of eligibility.

**Effective January 1, 2024, no Medi-Cal programs will require an asset/property test.

Medi-Cal has several different programs with different requirements and each person's circumstances are unique. In general, anyone can apply at any time. You must be a resident of Stanislaus County, provide your Social Security number (if you have one) and provide your immigration/citizenship status. Your Case Manager will let you know what other information needs to be provided to determine your eligibility.

Medi-Cal eligibility is determined by a variety of factors. During the application, your Case Manager will review your:

  • California Residence
  • Household Composition
  • Tax Filing Information
  • Income
  • Citizenship or Legal Residence Status*
  • Property (for some Medi-Cal Programs)**
  • Other Health Care Information
  • Disability Status
  • Other Relevant Information

As there are many factors that affect Medi-Cal eligibility, you should apply and let your Case Manager determine if you are eligible.

*Until January 1, 2024, individuals who are unable to provide proof of satisfactory immigration status may be eligible for restricted Medi-Cal to cover: Pregnancy, emergency services, long term care. After January 1, 2024, all individuals eligible to Medi-Cal will receive full Medi-Cal benefits regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. Information will continue to be collected but will not impact determination of eligibility.

**Effective January 1, 2024, no Medi-Cal programs will require an asset/property test.

No. Until January 1, 2024, individuals who are unable to provide proof of satisfactory immigration status may be eligible for restricted Medi-Cal to cover: Pregnancy, emergency services, long term care. After January 1, 2024, all individuals eligible to Medi-Cal will receive full Medi-Cal benefits regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. Information will continue to be collected but will not impact determination of eligibility.

Medi-Cal has several different programs with different requirements and each person's circumstances are unique. In general, anyone can apply at any time. Your Case Manager will let you know what other information needs to be provided to determine your eligibility. If you are found to be ineligible to any Medi-Cal programs, you may be referred to Covered CA for health insurance options during open enrollment or if you have a qualifying life event.

Not all Medi-Cal programs have property standards and all applicants are reviewed for these programs before programs with property standards.

Effective 7/1/2022, for Medi-Cal programs that have property standards, only certain property types will count toward the property limits of $130,000 for an individual and an additional $65,000 per additional household member (up to 10 individuals). Long Term Care programs also allow for property allocation to a spouse who remains in the home.

Effective January 1, 2024, no Medi-Cal programs will require an asset/property test.

You should apply and let your Case Manager determine if you are property eligible.

If you have an immediate medical need, apply in person at one of our offices. A case manager will assess your situation and determine your eligibility. You may be eligible for a temporary approval of Medi-Cal benefits while your application is being processed.

Yes, if you meet all the other criteria for Medi-Cal benefits. You will be asked to provide a contact address/phone number or you may use the Community Services Agency's address if you cannot provide an alternate contact.

Yes, the State of California automatically provides Medi-Cal for SSI/SSP recipients. You know you receive SSI/SSP benefits if you receive your Social Security benefits on the first of the month. You do not need to apply for Medi-Cal separately. If you receive regular Social Security and receive your benefits on the third of the month or after, you must apply for Medi-Cal separately. See #3 above.

Medi-Cal benefits are accessed through a Benefit Identification Card (BIC) and a Managed Care Health Plan card if the beneficiary is enrolled in a Managed Care Health Plan. You should show your BIC and Managed Care Health Plan card anytime you receive medical services or prescriptions. Always find out if the medical provider takes Medi-Cal patients before you go for treatment.

The BIC may not work for various reasons, such as the card may not be active, or the requested services aren't a Medi-Cal covered benefit. Always be sure to also give the provider your Managed Care Health Plan card as well, if you have one. You may call your Case Manager or 1-877-652-0734 for assistance.

A replacement BIC can be requested by:

  • Contacting your Case Manager or by calling 1-877-652-0734,
  • Going into your local office, or
  • Requesting from a linked BenefitsCal account.

Yes, you may apply for Medi-Cal at any time.

You may find out who your case manager is by:

  • Contacting your Case Manager or by calling 1-877-652-0734,
  • Going into your local office, or
  • Accessing information from a linked BenefitsCal account.

Call our automated system at 1-877-652-0734 for case information or to speak to a Customer Service Representative.

For many individuals who are eligible to Medi-Cal, there is no premium, no co-payment, and no out of pocket cost. Some households will see affordable costs, such as a low monthly premium. Some individuals will be eligible to Medi-Cal with a Share of Cost, which is an amount the beneficiary must pay out of pocket in a benefit month before Medi-Cal will begin paying for services. In general, individuals in Medi-Cal will get the same health benefits available through Covered California at a lower cost.