Low-Income Help

Starting April 1, 2014, beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal (informally called “duals” or “Medi-Medis”) in a few counties have received notices about or experienced changes in how they receive benefits. The changes are brought about by “Cal MediConnect,” a demonstration to integrate Medicare and Medi-Cal. Cal MediConnect is part of the larger...

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson recently introduced AB 2025 to raise the income level of the Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal program (A&D program) to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This change would create consistent income eligibility for different Medi-Cal programs and parity for seniors and people with disabilities. With AB 2025, more people who...

The Qualified Individual (QI) program is one of the Medicare Savings Programs which help Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes pay some out-of-pocket costs. Specifically, the QI program pays the Medicare Part B premium for Medicare beneficiaries with incomes between 120% and 135% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who meet the asset limit....

The California Working Disabled (CWD) program is designed to encourage and support people with disabilities to participate in the workforce while still qualifying for Medi-Cal’s health insurance benefits. Because of this program, people with disabilities don’t have to choose between work and Medi-Cal; they can have both. Also, contrary to the common assumption that...

Many people over 65 who have limited incomes may qualify for free Medicare Part A and B without knowing it. Through a program called Qualified Medicare Beneficiariy (QMB), Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) will pay Medicare Part A and B premiums as well as Part A and B deductibles and copayments for people who qualify....