Frequently Asked Questions

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. It provides no-cost or low-cost essential medical coverage. To get Medi-Cal, you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Full-scope Medi-Cal benefits include:

• Outpatient (ambulatory) services.
• Emergency services.
• Hospitalization.
• Maternity and newborn care.
• Mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, including behavioral health treatment.
• Prescription drugs.
• Programs such as physical and occupational therapy (known as rehabilitative and habilitative services) and devices.
• Laboratory services.
• Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management.
• Children's (pediatric) services, including oral and vision care.
• Dental and Vision.
• In-Home Support Services.

Most people who have Medi-Cal get benefits and services through a managed care health plan. Some programs may also be offered through Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service.

Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) is a managed care health plan. We offer three plans: Medi-Cal, TotalCare (HMO D-SNP) and Alliance Care IHSS. The Alliance works with the State of California to provide health care coverage to people who live in Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. We help members get started with their health insurance plan, answer questions about their health care and learn how to be healthy. We care about our members! You can learn more about the Alliance on our About Us page.

Medi-Cal is available for those who meet eligibility requirements. To find out more information about Medi-Cal or to see if you qualify for this health insurance, contact your county's office or visit the BenefitsCal website.

You can also use the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) online tool to see whether you might qualify. It’s quick and easy! Note that you need to fill out a full Medi-Cal application to find out for sure.

County Medi-Cal offices

• Mariposa County
  Health & Human Services Agency
  209-966-2000
  800-266-3609
• Merced County
  Human Services Agency
  209-385-3000
  855-421-6770
• Monterey County
  Department of Social Services
  877-410-8823
• San Benito County
  Health & Human Services Agency, Public Assistance
  831-636-4180
• Santa Cruz County
  Human Services Department
  888-421-8080

For the Hearing or Speech Assistance Line, call 800-735-2929 (TTY: Dial 711).

Alliance Care IHSS is a health plan for people who provide in-home support services in Monterey County. The plan provides care for eligible people who are registered with the Monterey County Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services (the Public Authority).

To enroll in Alliance Care IHSS, you must meet all of the requirements. This means:

• You must meet Public Authority work requirements.
• You must live or work in Monterey County.
• You must not have been terminated by Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) in the past for fraud, deception or failing to give complete information.

Learn more on our Alliance Care IHSS page.

Note: If you are looking for in-home support services (IHSS), this is different than the Alliance Care IHSS health plan. To learn about getting in-home support services in your county, go to the California Department of Social Services website.

You will need to contact both the Alliance and your county’s Medi-Cal office if you move or change your phone number. To inform the Alliance, use the Update Personal Information form or call Member Services at the Alliance. Use the numbers below to contact your county’s Medi-Cal office: