​​Medi-Cal and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions​​

​​Table of Contents​

​​​​Eligibility​

1. Will my Medi-Cal end during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
2. When could I lose Medi-Cal during the public health emergency?
3. Do I need to call my local Medi-Cal county office to make sure I keep my Medi-Cal during the public health emergency?
4. What should I do with the Medi-Cal renewal packet I receive in the mail?
5. What changes do I need to report to my county?
6. How do I report changes to my county?
7. Do I need to update my contact information with the county? ​​
8. How will my stimulus payments, COVID-19 grants, and recovery rebates affect my Medi-Cal?
9. How do my unemployment benefits affect my Medi-Cal eligibility?
10. Could my Medi-Cal change during the public health emergency?
11. Could my share of cost (SOC) or premium (monthly cost) go up during the public health emergency?
12. What if I cannot pay my Medi-Cal premium?
13. What are my appeal rights if I disagree with a county action regarding my Medi-Cal coverage?​

COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine​​

14. ​If I have COVID-19 symptoms, how much will it cost to get tested? If I am COVID-19 positive, how much will treatment cost?
    
15. I am in restricted scope Medi-Cal and/or my immigration status has not been verified. Can I get Medi-Cal services related to COVID-19?
    
16. What individuals are covered to get the vaccine?
    
17. Will individuals have to pay for the vaccine?
    
18. Where can individuals get the vaccine?
    
19. How many shots will be needed? Do I need to get a booster shot?
    
20. Where can I learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine?​

Benefits​​

21. Can I have a phone or online appointment?
22. What should I expect in a telehealth appointment?
23. Whom should I call if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
24. Whom should I call if I am experiencing a COVID-19 related emergency?
25. Am I covered for post-COVID conditions?

Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment​​

26. ​ Are Family PACT services still available during the COVID-19 pandemic?
27. As a current Family PACT client, can I receive my Family PACT services without going into a Family PACT clinic?
28. How do I find out if I am eligible for the Family PACT Program?
29. What if my Health Access Programs (HAP) card is expiring, or if my HAP card is already expired, how can I renew it?
30. Besides my Family PACT provider, who else can dispense self administered hormonal contraceptives?
31. Can I get my prescription(s) filled without going into a pharmacy?

Medi-Nurse Line​​

32. What is the Medi-Nurse Line?
33. Who is the line for?
34. When can I call the Medi-Nurse line?​

Medi-Cal Managed Care Members​​

36. Who do I call if I cannot reach my doctor?
37. Who do I call if I have questions about filling my prescription?
38. Who do I call if I have medical transportation planned that could be impacted by an emergency?

Behavioral Health ​Services and Facilities​​​

39. How do I access emergency mental health services?
40. How do I access substance use disorder treatment services?​

Home and Community Based Alternatives & Assisted Living Waivers​​

41. Who do I call if I cannot reach my doctor?
42. Who do I contact about how to access my Home and Community Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver services if my waiver service providers are impacted by outages or is evacuated?
43. Who do I call if I have questions about filling my prescription?
44. Who do I call if I have medical transportation planned that could be impacted by an emergency?
45. My Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) facility has been told to evacuate. What do I do?
46. What should I bring in case I need to evacuate or relocate due to fires, power outages, or other emergencies?

American Indian Medi-Cal Members and Indian Health Care Programs​​​

47. ​ ​Where can American Indians enrolled in a managed care plan access health care services?
48. ​Where can American Indians, enrolled in fee-for-service Medi-Cal, access health care services?
49. ​Who can ​help if a clinic needs equipment or patient supplies to safely sustain clinic operations (e.g., generator, N95 masks, etc.)?​​​​

Resources

• Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman
  
• Hours of Operation:  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST; excluding holidays
• By Phone: (888) 452-8609 
  
• County Mental Health Plan Information
  
• Partnership Health Plan Emergency Resource Information
• HealthNet Plan Emergency Resource Information

Waiver Agencies 

Waiver Agency	Service Area
Access TLC	Santa Barbara County, and sections of Los Angeles and Orange Counties (service area defined by zip codes)
Centers for Elders' Independence	Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Home Health Care Management	Butte, Glenn, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Solano, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties
Institute on Aging	San Francisco, San Mateo, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties
Libertana Home Health	Kern, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Amador, Calaveras, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, and sections of Los Angeles and Orange Counties (service area defined by zip codes)
Partners in Care	Sections of Los Angeles County (service area defined by zip codes)
San Ysidro Health	San Diego County
Sonoma County Human Services Department	Sonoma County
​Ventura County Agency on Aging	​Ventura County

 
Find more information on the COVID-19 vaccinations on the DHCS' website COVID-19 Vaccine Beneficiary FAQ 

Find COVID-19 emotional support on California's COVID-19 website Resources for emotional support and well being 

Find ways to help reduce stress on the Office of California Surgeon General website (additional information and links for support) 

Call 211. As a first stop for all local food and other human service needs, the State is partnering with 211 in all communities. To learn more, go to 211.org website​ 

Aging and adult services: The California Aging and Adults Information Line connects to local Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-510-2020. 

The Friendship Line, run by the Institute on Aging, has 24/7 connection and a crisis line for older adults. Call 1-888-670-1360. 

“Feeling Good & Staying Connected" is a new activity guide and weekly planner from the California Department of Aging. To learn more, go to the State of California Department of Aging COVID-19 website Department of Aging COVID-19 website 

You can find more resources on how to lower stress-related health outcomes of the COVID-19 emergency on the ACEs Aware website ACEs Aware Website 

Wellness checks or abuse, neglect, or exploitation: The state Adult Protective Services line connects to county Adult Protective Services 24/7. Call 1-833-401-0832.​​​