Positive changes made in Medi-cal for older adults

California is expanding access to Medi- Cal for older adults and people with disabilities. The legal advocacy agency Justice in Aging recently issued an alert that reminds us that, effective Dec. 1, 2020, two important changes took place.

First, California increased its Medi- Cal income eligibility limit to 138 percent of the federal poverty level for its Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Program. This means that the income eligibility limit is now $1,468 for one person and $1,983 for a couple, and will increase each year in April.

People who are currently receiving Medi- Cal with a share of cost may now be eligible for free Medi- Cal. The California Department of Health Care Services sent a letter to people who may be eligible, but if you did not get the memo, or have in the past thought you made too much to apply for Medi- Cal, this is a good time to contact your local Medi- Cal office to see if this change benefits you. (The cost of medical insurance premiums can offset one’s countable income, so even those with higher incomes may be found eligible if paying supplemental, prescription, vision, dental or other medical insurance plans brings their incomes to below the eligibility thresholds.) MediCal’s asset limits remain the same.

Additionally, California will stop flipping Medi-cal recipients between free and share of cost MediCal based on who is paying the Medicare Part B premium. This problem has existed for some time and can cause significant disruptions, including disenrollment from managed care and unaffordable health care costs during the months when a recipient is on share of cost Medi- Cal.

The new rule allows the county welfare departments to deduct the same amount as the Part B premium regardless of whether the recipient is currently paying it or the state is paying it as a benefit of free Medi- Cal.

Individuals who are applying for the first time must still pay the premium themselves for the state to subtract the payment as an income disregard. However, once a person is eligible for Medi- Cal, the person will continue to be eligible for free Medi- Cal.

To learn more about this or other resources for older adults in Lake and Mendocino counties, contact the Senior Information & Assistance Program at Community Care at (707) 468- 5132, or visit www.Seniorresourcedirectory.org.