Get Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County

If you qualify for Medi-Cal in San Cruz County, the Alliance is your local Medi-Cal health plan. We have been Santa Cruz County's Medi-Cal provider since 1996.

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 Santa Cruz County and have Medi-Cal, check to see if your doctor accepts Medi-Cal insurance.

We can also help you find doctors in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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

Santa Cruz County Health 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.

Santa Cruz County Health and Human Services

Phone number: 888-421-8080 (TTY: Dial 711).

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Locations:

Which doctors in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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.