The California Department of Health Care Services offers programs for the uninsured.
California employer-sponsored health insurance coverage declined by 9 percent between 1987 and 2008, according to a 2009 report produced by the California HealthCare Foundation. Nearly one-third of the 6.6 million uninsured Californians have an annual income above $50,000. Statewide unemployment has increased the number of uninsured, along with the rising number of self-employed workers. A number of California programs fill the health insurance void, ranging from state Medicaid programs to local, government-sponsored plans.
Department of Health Care Services
The Department of Health Care Services serves as a clearinghouse for public health insurance plans, manages specialized health care treatment programs and serves as the administrator for the state's Medicaid program. Department programs offer health care coverage for individuals with disabilities, low-income families and adult individuals. Department of Health Care Services programs can provide you with primary health care, dental coverage and long-term care plans.
Medi-Cal
The Department of Health Care Services administers the California Medical Assistance Program, the state's Medicaid program known as Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal provides health services for low-income residents, pregnant women, senior citizens and the disabled. Medi-Cal coverage offers benefits for persons enrolled in an SSI/SSD Social Security program, CalWORKs participants and participants of In-Home Supportive Services. Individuals 65 or older, blind or under 21 years of age can apply for Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal can pay for clinic services, doctor's services, alcohol and drug treatment, inpatient and outpatient services and pharmacy services. The amount you pay for services depends on your income. While lower income participants might pay no costs, others require a monthly deductible for medical services. You can apply for Medi-Cal at any county social services office. Individuals receiving SSI/SSP benefits are automatically enrolled through the Social Security Administration and county social services agencies automatically enroll CalWORKs participants.
The California Partnership for Long-Term Care
The Department of Health Care Services' California Partnership for Long-Term Care program provides long-term care insurance programs in association with private insurance providers. While plans can cost the same as private long-term insurance programs, the California Partnership plans include a financial protection benefit, exempting participants from Medi-Cal financial prerequisites that requires participants to spend down all assets before coverage begins. This means you can keep a portion of your personal assets and still receive long-term health care benefits. The California Partnership for Long-Term Care program can pay costs incurred from residential care and nursing home health care.
Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
The Health Insurance Premium Payment Program -- or HIPP -- pays the premiums of private health insurance policies for individuals already enrolled in Medi-Cal. Enrollees who meet initial eligibility requirements are re-evaluated yearly to determine continued eligibility. You can apply for HIPP if you are already enrolled in Medi-Cal, have private health insurance or can obtain coverage through your employment, among other requirements.
Local Programs
Depending on where you live, local governments might offer health insurance programs. For example, the City of San Francisco offers a number of health care programs for uninsured residents, including the Healthy San Francisco and HealthyWorkers programs. Local programs can pay for vision, dental and medical care, for a cost as low as $3 per month.
Tags: Care Services, Department Health, Department Health Care, Health Care Services, health insurance, California Partnership
