Medi-Cal 1931(b) provides no-cost medical benefits to low income families (children, parents, and caretaker relatives) who receive CalWorks payments or who do not receive CalWorks, but meet the eligibility requirements that were in place for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with the passage of welfare reform legislation on July 16, 1996.

CalWorks families automatically qualify for Medi-Cal 1931(b). In addition, families that are California residents with children through age 18 (19 if attending school) where deprivation exists also qualify. Deprivation means that one or both parents are absent, unemployed, incapacitated, underemployed or deceased. Underemployment means working less than 100 hours per month. The family income has to be at or below 100% Federal Income Guidelines.

Satisfactory immigration status or verified U.S. citizenship is required in order to receive full-scope benefits. Restricted or emergency services, including pregnancy-related care, are available when satisfactory immigration status is not present or U.S. citizenship is not verified.

Transitional Medi-Cal (TMC) is a program that provides up to 12 months of full-scope, no-cost benefits to families that have lost eligibility for CalWorks or Medi-Cal 1931(b) due to increased employment earnings. In order for families to be eligible, they must live in California during the 12 months they receive benefits, must have ether received CalWorks or 1931(b) during at least three of the last six months, must have at least one eligible child under 18 in the home, must submit quarterly reports, and the monthly family income after the first six months must be at or below 185% Federal Income Guidelines. At the end of TMC, families will be evaluated again to determine if they are elegible for any Medi-Cal programs.

Satisfactory immigration status or verified U.S. citizenship is required for full-scope benefits. Otherwise, they receive restricted or emergency services.

This program affects families who have lost eligibility for Medi-Cal through CalWorks or Medi-Cal 1931 (b) either because they began to receive child support or spousal support or because of an increase in the amount of child support or spousal support received. It allows them to receive full-scope benefits at no cost, under certain circumstances, for four additional months.

To be eligible, families need to have received CalWorks or 1931(b) during at least three of the last six months before losing benefits. Eligibility begins the first month in which families would have been ineligible for CalWorks or 1931(b). Family members must be California residents during the four-month period. Individuals must have satisfactory immigration status or verified U.S. Citizenship to qualify for this program.

This program covers parents, some caretaker relatives, and children under 21 in families where deprivation criteria are met. Families whose incomes are too high to qualify for 1931(b) may be eligible for this program. Caretaker relatives are eligible for this program only if the children's parents do not live in the home. Individuals must have satisfactory immigration status or verified U.S. citizenship to qualify.

Families whose incomes are at or below 100% Federal Income Guidelines receive free services. However, most families in MN have a Share of Cost, where they pay for part of their services and Medi-Cal pays for the rest.

Medi-Cal Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level (A&D FPL) - This program provides full-scope Medi-Cal coverage to individuals 65 years or over or disabled according to Social Security Administration (SSA) criteria. In addition, they must have resources below medically needy limits and net countable incomes at or below 100% Federal Income Guidelines.

Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medically Needy (ABD-MN) Medi-Cal - This program is for persons who are aged, blind, or disabled who meet SSI disability and resource requirements. They may qualify with or without a share of cost (SOC) depending on their income.

250% Working Disabled Program (WDP) - This program expands full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility to include disabled working persons with incomes at or below 250% Federal Income Guidelines.

Medicare Savings Program (MSP) - These programs help certain people over 65 or disabled individuals pay for Medicare costs.

Tuberculosis Program (TB) - This program is an optional program for individuals who are infected by TB and do not qualify for federally mandated Medi-Cal programs such as 1931 (b), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Public Assistance, or poverty level programs.

Kidney Dialysis and Related Services - This program offers some coverage to individuals who need kidney dialysis or related services and who are not covered by other health insurance or government health programs. 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (Every Woman Counts) - This is federal program that provides low income women access to screening and diagnostic services for breast and cervical cancer. Income must be at or below 200% Federal Income Guidelines. Immigration status does not matter.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCT) - This program is for low-income women in California with a diagnosis of cervical cancer and low-income women and men with a diagnosis of breast cancer. There are both state and federal programs that offer these services. Immigration status does not matter.

Minor Consent Program - This program allows minors up to 21 years of age to access certain Medi-Cal benefits on their own without their parents' consent. Immigration status does not matter. Benefits covered are dependent on the age of the minor.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Program (IMPACT) - This program provides prostate cancer treatment to individuals who are over the age of 18 and at or below 200% Federal Income Guidelines. Immigration status does not matter.

Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Program - This program allows former foster care children to retain their Medi-Cal benefits after leaving the foster care program. 

Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women - This program provides pregnant women with medical services during pregnancy and for 60 days postpartum. California residents with family incomes at or below 200% Federal Income Guidelines are eligible for no cost service.

Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP) - This program is for low-income pregnant women on Medi-Cal who need prenatal care and support services to help ensure positive pregnancy outcomes and healthy babies. CPSP is available to all pregnant women enrolled in Medi-Cal. This program provides comprehensive prenatal care, health services, and parenting and nutritional education.

Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) - This program covers low-income women whose family incomes are too high for them to qualify for no cost Medi-Cal. Pregnant women must have monthly family incomes between 200 and 300% Federal Income Guidelines and must be no more than 30 weeks pregnant to qualify. Immigration status does not matter.

Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment Program (Family PACT) - This a federal and state funded program offering family planning and related services to low-income California men and women and teens for the purpose of preventing unplanned pregnancy and promoting reproductive health. Gross family income must be at or below 200% Federal Income Guidelines. Immigration status does not matter.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) - This program can help blind, aged, or disabled individuals pay for in-home services such as shopping, cooking, and personal care, thus helping individuals remain in their homes. Income requirements are the same as those for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP) - This is a state funded program that can help individuals with genetic diseases pay for medical costs, including equipment and medication. California residents 21 years of age or older qualify. Immigration status does not matter.

Veteran Services - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides an enhanced healthcare benefits plan to all veterans regardless of income.

Mental Health Services - The California Department of Mental Health provides free mental health treatment for Medi-Cal recipients. Other individuals may also be eligible for services.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Tobacco Control - The Resource Center at the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs maintains a comprehensive collection of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention and treatment information. Click here to access this information.

Health Insurance Payment Program (HIPP) - The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) pays private health insurance premiums for certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have high-cost medical conditions. Medi-Cal refers individuals who might eligible to DHCS for possible participation. Care/HIPP is a HIPP program that pays insurance premiums for HIV/AIDS patients who are unable to work full time.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) - COBRA is a program that gives workers and their families an option to continue group health benefits for a specific period of time under special circumstances. Cal-COBRA is a program for California residents who do not qualify for COBRA.

Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) - This program is for Californians who are not able to obtain individual insurance coverage because of pre-existing health conditions. MRMIP can also help those who have limited coverage or very high premiums due to their pre-existing health condition. Immigration status does not matter.