County to expand Medi-Cal coverage to San Diegans starting Jan. 1

By County News Center

San Diego, CA–Starting January 1, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services will expand Medi-Cal coverage to younger adults residing in San Diego County.

A new California law gives full Medi-Cal coverage to adults ages 26-49, regardless of immigration status, County officials said. 

“Expanding Medi-Cal to cover younger adults is desperately needed in such difficult financial times. Providing a safety net to our most vulnerable neighbors is incredibly important and builds the opportunity for San Diegans to thrive,” said Rick Wanne, Director of Self Sufficiency Services in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. 

All Californians under age 26 and over age 50 are already eligible for full Medi-Cal benefits. Some of those who have previously been denied full Medi-Cal are now expected to be eligible. 

All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including household income limits, still apply. 

Medi-Cal covers vital services such as doctor visits, prescribed medications, vaccines, mental health care, substance use care, vision care and eyeglasses, dental care, emergency services, and referrals to specialists. 

The public is welcome to apply. Applying for or using Medi-Cal will not affect a person’s immigration status. 

People with restricted Medi-Cal, which only covers emergency services, may also get full-scope services. Those with restricted Medi-Cal automatically will get a letter in the mail on their eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal. They do not need to fill out a new application and will be automatically enrolled if eligible. 

Those applying are urged to watch out for scams. Medi-Cal will never require payment to submit a renewal or application. Anyone who gets a call asking for payment to apply or renew is asked to report it by calling the Medi-Cal fraud hotline at 1 (800) 822-6222.

Learn more about Medi-Cal and apply for benefits at Benefitscal.com or SanDiegoCounty.gov/Medi-Cal.