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Public Insurance Programs

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Overview

Public benefits programs like Medi-Cal can be used to help fund our kids' therapies and supports. Learn more about how to access these benefits and how to navigate the claims and appeals process to ensure that medical needs are covered.

Who is eligible for Medi-Cal?

California’s Medicaid program known as Medi-Cal provides health care coverage based on household income, but kids with disabilities may also be eligible under certain programs or with a waiver if their household income is higher than the eligibility threshold.

Contents

Overview

Who is eligible for Medi-Cal?

What is the Medi-Cal waiver?

How do I use Medi-Cal as secondary insurance?

Medi-Cal Basics

Medi-Cal 101

Medi-Cal’s Institutional Deeming Waiver 101

Medi-Cal Terms & Services Glossary

The Medi-Cal Appeal Process

Maximizing Medi-Cal Benefits

Making the Most of Medi-Cal

How to Use Medi-Cal as Secondary Insurance

3 Tips for Maximizing Your Medi-Cal Coverage

Latest Resources

Parent Question

How do I get an insurance denial letter?

Article

Home and Community Based Alternatives Waiver (HCBA) 101

Video Clip

Top 3 tips to utilize Medi-Cal as secondary insurance in 2023

Video Clip

What Are the Biggest Issues Occurring with the 2023 Medi-Cal Changes?

Video Clip

What is the biggest change happening for Medi-Cal in 2023?

Parent Question

What if Medi-Cal denies my child's DME?

Video Clip

Top 3 tips for submitting a Medi-Cal appeal

Event Recap

3 Tips for Maximizing Your Medi-Cal Coverage

Parent Question

How do I use Medi-Cal to cover medical supplies denied by private insurance?

Parent Question

How do I use Medi-Cal to cover copays and deductibles?

Article

How to Use Medi-Cal as Secondary Insurance

Video Clip

Paying for Disability Services: Appeals When You’re Denied Coverage

Video Clip

How Multiple Sources Can Pay For Services For Children with Disabilities

Video Clip

Who Pays For Your Child's Medical and Therapeutic Needs?

Video

How Do We Pay For It All?

Video

UD Live with Leslie Lobel: Insurance Claims, Authorizations, and Denials...Oh, My!

Event Recap

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal Parent Questions with Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck

Video Clip

Medi-Cal

What is "fee-for-service" Medi-Cal coverage?

Parent Question

Medi-Cal

Do I need a Medi-Cal managed care plan?

Video Clip

Can incontinence supplies be covered by insurance?

Video Clip

Funding Order: Private Insurance, Medi-Cal, and Regional Center

Video Clip

Medi-Cal

Using Insurance and Medi-Cal Together

Parent Question

Medi-Cal

Do I need to renew the Medi-Cal institutional deeming waiver?

Parent Question

Medi-Cal

How do I apply for the Medi-Cal institutional deeming waiver?

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Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes.

Reviewed by

Jennifer Drew, Undivided Senior Editor

Each piece of content has been rigorously researched, edited, and vetted to bring you the latest and most up-to-date information. Learn more about our content and research process here.

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