Medi-Cal 101
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, which provides health care coverage to many Californians based on a variety of factors including income, adoption/foster care status, and disability. Medi-Cal will always be secondary coverage for children with private primary insurance, but it can help fill some of the funding gaps by eliminating copays and many other out-of-pocket expenses when your child sees Medi-Cal-contracted providers. Medi-Cal may also fund medical supplies (such as diapers and feeding-tube formula) and durable medical equipment.
Medi-Cal for children is administered through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. Some services that are not available to adults with Medi-Cal may be available under EPSDT.
To help you understand the various Medi-Cal programs and how your child might benefit, also check out our handy guide Making the Most of Medi-Cal and our glossary of Medi-Cal terms and services.
What Services Does Medi-Cal Provide?
Common Medi-Cal services include (but are not limited to):
Medical coverage
Physical and occupational therapy and speech when medically necessary
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA; managed care plans only)
Equipment and supplies
Incontinence supplies
Home nursing care