Can I apply for Covered California if I am already enrolled in Medicare?
If individuals are enrolled in Medicare, they cannot apply for coverage through Covered California because they are already covered. Medicare is considered minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Covered California does not offer Medicare Advantage Plans or any Medicare supplemental plans,...
How can I find out if I am eligible for Medicare?
To find out if you are eligible and your expected premium, go the Medicare.gov eligibility tool. If you (or your spouse) did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, and you are age 65 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you may be able to buy Part A.
What is Medicare and Medi-Cal in California?
Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, is a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs for people with limited income and/or resources (assets). Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. What does Medi-Cal cover? If you have Medicare and full Medi-Cal coverage, most of your health care costs are covered.
How do I receive Medicare and Medi-Cal?
If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, how you receive your benefits depends on the county you live in. For Medicare benefits, you may choose fee-for-service Original Medicare in all counties, or a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, if available in your county.
How do I find out if a patient has Medicare?
The best way to check eligibility and enroll in Medicare online is to use the Social Security or Medicare websites. They are government portals for signing up for Medicare, and they offer free information about eligibility.
Can you check Medicare records?
You can view, add or edit the types of Medicare information available in your My Health Record.
How do I check my Medicare status?
How to Check Medicare Application StatusLogging into one's “My Social Security” account via the Social Security website.Visiting a local Social Security office. ... Contact Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) anytime Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.More items...•
Is Medi-Cal the same as Medicare?
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. Medi-Cal pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medicare is a federally funded insurance program for eligible participants 65 or over.
Can I view my Medicare account online?
Medicare's Blue Button is an online tool you can use to access your health information securely. You can decide to share that information with your doctors, loved ones, or anyone else of your choosing. It's available on the MyMedicare.gov site, which helps you keep track of your Medicare claims, and more.
Can my parents see my Medicare history?
If you are 14 or older, Medicare will not give information about your medical treatment to your parents without your consent, but your parents will still be able to see that you have visited a doctor. This is because the information will be listed if your parents apply for a Medicare Tax Benefit Statement.
Do you automatically get a Medicare card when you turn 65?
You should receive your Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday. If you are NOT receiving benefits from Social Security or the RRB at least four months before you turn 65, you will need to sign up with Social Security to get Parts A and B.
Do you automatically get Medicare with Social Security?
You automatically get Medicare because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
How do I find out my Medicare number?
Sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account. If you don't have an account yet, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one. You can sign in to see your Medicare Number or print an official copy of your card. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Do I have Medi-Cal or Medicare?
Medicare provides health coverage to individuals 65 and older or those with a severe disability regardless of income, whereas Medi-Cal (California's state-run and funded Medicaid program) provides health coverage to those families with very low income, as well as pregnant women and the blind, among others.
Can you have both Medi-Cal and Medicare?
The short answer to whether some seniors may qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) is: yes. Although some people under age 65 qualify for Medicare, such as individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), our focus in this post is on seniors age 65 and older.
Who is eligible for Medicare in California?
You are eligible for Medicare if you are a citizen of the United States or have been a legal resident for at least 5 years and: You are age 65 or older and you or your spouse has worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment.
What happens if you keep Medicare in California?
If you are eligible for Medicare and you keep your Covered California plan, you may face serious consequences. For example: You may have to pay back all or some of your premium tax credits to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Or, there could be a delay in your Medicare coverage start date.
How long does it take to enroll in Medicare in California?
People with a plan through Covered California who have been determined disabled by the Social Security Administration will be automatically enrolled in Medicare within two years of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) income.
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B, also known as medical insurance, covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Medicare Parts A and B combined is also known as “Original Medicare.”. Medicare Part D, also known as prescription drug coverage, can be added to Original Medicare.
How to contact Covered California?
Then, call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 (TTY: 888-889-4500) and tell us about your Medicare coverage.
How long do you have to cancel a Medicare plan in California?
You will need to cancel your health plan through Covered California at least 14 days before you want your coverage to end.
What to do if you can't afford Medicare?
If you can’t afford your Medicare costs or premiums, you can see if you qualify for financial assistance programs to help. Contact your local county office to see if you’re eligible for income-based Medicare Savings Programs that can lower your Medicare costs, including help with paying your premiums.
When does Medicare enrollment end?
The initial enrollment period starts three months before the month you turn 65 and it ends three months after the month you turn 65.
How to contact Covered California for Medicare Part D?
Call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506 for help.
How to find Medicare Advantage plan?
To find a Medicare Advantage plan in your area and/or for individual assistance call your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advo cacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222.
What happens if you buy a QHP but later decide to reenroll in Medicare?
If you decide to buy a QHP now but later decide to reenroll in Medicare, you may be charged a late enrollment penalty for Parts A and B and possibly Part D as well if the QHP doesn’t provide prescription drug coverage as good as Medicare’s.
How to speak with someone at Covered California?
To speak with someone at Covered California, call 1-800-300-1506.If you decide to keep your Part B and buy a QHP but later decide to re-enroll in Medicare Part A, you may be charged a late enrollment penalty.
How do insurance companies coordinate health benefits?
State law usually specifies how insurance companies will coordinate health benefits when a person has primary coverage from more than one source. In that situation, insurance companies determine which coverage is primary and which is secondary.
How long do you have to sign up for Medicare?
When initially eligible for Medicare, you have 7 months to sign up for Parts B and D. This time, called the initial enrollment period (IEP), begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month and ends 3 months after your birthday month.
What is the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes called Obamacare, established standards and requirements for health insurance for people not covered by Medicare. It also established exchanges or Marketplaces where people can compare the benefits and costs of various medical insurance plans, ...
What is Medi-Cal for Medicare?
Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare) Medi-Cal, the Medicaid program in California, provides health coverage to people with low-income and asset levels who meet certain eligibility requirements. While there are several ways to qualify for Medi-Cal, this section focuses only on Medi-Cal beneficiaries who also qualify for Medicare — individuals who are ...
Which MA plan works best for people with Medicare and Medi-Cal?
If you choose an MA plan, the MA plan that works best for people with both Medicare and Medi-Cal is the Special Needs Plan (SNP) for dual eligibles or D-SNP. If you’re enrolled in a D-SNP, you do not have copays, coinsurance or premiums associated with other types of MA plans.
What is Cal MediConnect?
Cal MediConnect is a demonstration program with the goal of integrating care for people with both Medicare and Medi-Cal. The demonstration is happening in 7 selected counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo and Santa Clara, and began on various dates depending on the county.
What is Medicare Part D?
2. Prescription Drugs. If you are receiving both Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits, the Medicare Part D drug benefit will provide your prescription-drug coverage instead of Medi-Cal. You must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan to get these benefits.
How much does Medi-Cal pay for SOC?
For example, if you have an individual monthly income of $1,300, Medi-Cal subtracts $600 for a SOC of $700 . This means you must pay at least $700 in covered medical expenses and/or health care premiums in a given month before Medi-Cal covers any of your health care costs for that month.
How much does Medi-Cal pay for medical expenses?
Your SOC is determined according to your monthly income, using the following formula: Medi-Cal subtracts $600 (for an individual) or $934 (for a couple) from your monthly income, and any other health-insurance premiums you may be paying.
How much does a person need to be to qualify for Medi-Cal?
To qualify for SSI, you must be age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Your countable monthly income may not exceed $954.72 for an individual or $1,598.14 for a couple (higher income levels apply for individuals who are blind).
What is the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal?
When you have Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare is your primary insurance and pays for most of your medical care. Medi-Cal is your secondary insurance. It pays for costs not covered by Medicare and provides additional benefits not covered by Medicare.
What is Medicare for people over 65?
Medicare is health insurance for: People 65 or older. People under 65 with certain disabilities. People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. People of any age with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
What is Cal MediConnect?
Cal MediConnect is a type of health care plan that promotes coordinated healthcare and long-term services and supports (LTSS) for seniors and people with disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, sometimes referred to as “dual eligible beneficiaries” or “Medi-Medis”.
What is a medicaid program?
What is Medi-Cal? Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, is a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs for people with limited income and/or resources (assets). Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Does California have Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Medicare is working with some states and health plans to offer demonstration plans for certain people who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal. California is one of these states.
Does Medicare cover medical expenses?
If you have Medicare and full Medi-Cal coverage, most of your health care costs are covered. People with Medi-Cal may get coverage for services that Medicare may not or may partially cover, like basic vision and hearing, dental, non-emergency transportation, incontinence supplies, personal care, and home-and community-based services.
Is Medicare a dual eligible Medicare?
Español (Spanish) Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal and are called “dual-eligible” or Medi-Medi beneficiaries. It is important for you to know the differences between Medicare and Medi-Cal, and how Medicare works with Medi-Cal, and who is responsible for paying your medical bills. It is also important for you to know ...