Get Medi-Cal in Merced County
If you qualify for Medi-Cal in Merced County, the Alliance is your local Medi-Cal health plan. We have been Merced’s Medi-Cal provider since 2009. We now serve one in two Merced County residents!
As an Alliance member, the Alliance will cover most of the health care services that you will need. Some of the benefits and services that are covered are:
- Preventive care, which includes checkups and vaccines.
- Chronic conditions, like asthma and diabetes.
- Pregnancy and newborn care, along with post-partum care for up to 12 months after the end of pregnancy.
- Most health care services provided by specialists and hospitals.
These services are available at no cost to you. Most Medi-Cal members can also get prescription drugs at no cost under the program Medi-Cal Rx. For a full list of health care services that you get as an Alliance member, read our Member Handbook.
If you live in Merced County and have Medi-Cal, check to see if your doctor accepts Medi-Cal insurance.
We can also help you find doctors in Merced County who take Medi-Cal. Here’s our guide to help you get Medi-Cal and find a doctor.
Do I qualify for Medi-Cal insurance?
You can check online to see if you qualify to get Medi-Cal.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) lists all the ways that you might be able to get Medi-Cal. You may qualify based on your income and the number of people in your household. You may also qualify if you:
- Are getting benefits from CalFresh.
- Have a disability.
- Are pregnant.
There are lots of other things that might make you able to get Medi-Cal, so make sure to check the DHCS website!
It’s important to know you can apply for Medi-Cal whether you’re an American citizen or not. Your immigration status does not matter. Applying for Medi-Cal does not affect your immigration status in any way.
How can I get Medi-Cal in Merced County?
To get Medi-Cal, you’ll need to fill out an application. You can apply to get Medi-Cal at any time of the year.
There are services and people that can help make it easier for you to apply for Medi-Cal. Below are the ways you can apply for Medi-Cal and how to get help with your application.
Apply online through BenefitsCal
You can apply online through BenefitsCal.
Contact your county Medi-Cal office
Merced County’s Human Services Agency (HSA) can help you apply to Medi-Cal.
They can send you an application by email or mail. They can also help you fill out an application over the phone.
You can also apply in person at an HSA office. If you have questions about the application or think you might need help, applying in person might be the best option for you.
Applications and HSA services are offered in English, Spanish, Hmong and other languages.
Merced County Human Services Agency
Phone: 209-385-3000
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Locations:
Merced | Atwater | Los Banos |
2115 Wardrobe Ave. | 1920 Customer Care Way | 947 W. Pacheco Blvd., Ste. C |
Merced, CA 95341 | Atwater, CA 95301 | Los Banos, CA 93635 |
Which doctors in Merced County take Medi-Cal?
After you are approved for Medi-Cal and are enrolled with the Alliance, it’s time to find a doctor! In our Provider Directory, you can find a list of doctors who provide services for Alliance members living in Merced County.
There are three ways you can find a doctor:
- Search the online Provider Directory. For more information on how to use the online Provider Directory, view our online Provider Directory Tutorial.
- Download the Provider Directory for Merced County.
- Use the online self-service form to ask for a printed copy of the Provider Directory. You can also call Member Services and ask them to mail one to you.
Once you have found a doctor, fill out the Choose or Change Primary Doctor form online. You can also call Alliance Member Services at 800-700-3874, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
If the doctor or clinic is taking new patients, you will get an updated Alliance Member ID card the following month.
If you don’t select a doctor, the Alliance will choose one for you.
For more information, visit our Find a Doctor page.
Feeling sick and have questions?
Our Nurse Advice Line is a service available to all Alliance members at no cost. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 844-971-8907 (TTY: Dial 711) to talk to a nurse.
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Need a ride?
If you are an Alliance member and need help getting to the doctor or picking up a prescription, you may be able to get a ride at no cost to you. Call us at 800-700-3874 (TTY: Dial 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to find out if you are eligible. You can find more information about requesting a ride on our transportation services page.
Questions?
If you have other questions, we’re here to help! You can visit our Merced County office at 530 West 16th Street, Suite B. Our walk-in hours are 9-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our office is within walking distance from the Merced Transpo bus stop, which is at 710 W. 16th St, Merced. If you want to know which bus lines stop at Merced Transpo, you can check the Merced bus schedule online for bus routes, fares and times.
You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page if you have more questions about your health insurance at the Alliance.
Questions?
Be careful of Medi-Cal renewal scams!
Here is what you can do to protect yourself and others from Medi-Cal scams. Learn more.