Full Medi-Cal Health Coverage Now Available to Adults 50+ Regardless of Immigration Status
The County of Santa Clara has representatives available to help eligible community members sign up for the free/low-cost health service
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.— All adults in California over the age of 50, regardless of immigration status, may now qualify for Medi-Cal, the State’s version of the federal Medicaid program that provides free or low-cost health coverage.
The expansion began on May 1, when approximately 12,220 current Medi-Cal recipients in Santa Clara County transitioned to full scope coverage. The expansion population also includes individuals who are not yet enrolled into Medi-Cal but, as of now, may be eligible. In preparation, the County’s Social Services Agency has been working with community partners to expand their outreach efforts and has readied its representatives to help residents navigate the process for new eligibility.
“We are thrilled there will now be thousands of new community members getting more comprehensive health coverage for their medical needs,” said Angela Shing, Director of Employment and Benefits Services for the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency. “We know the system can feel intimidating to many residents and our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible so that everyone who is now qualified for full scope Medi-Cal can get the full range of health benefits.”
Full scope Medi-Cal covers the following but is not limited to: having your own primary care physician, outpatient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs, and laboratory services. Individuals can apply online through Covered California or Mybenefits CalWIN, by phone at (408) 758-3800, or in person at any of the sites below:
Benefits Assistance Center
1867 Senter Road
San José, CA 95112
North County
1330 W. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
South County
379 Tomkins Court
Gilroy, CA 95020
For residents who are most comfortable working with their current healthcare provider or want to establish care at the County-operated health system, there is assistance available through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Patients at SCVMC can get help navigating the process by calling 1-866-967-4677 or visiting the Patient Access Department at 770 South Bascom Avenue in San José between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“The County Health System/Santa Clara Valley Medical Center has been providing care for many of these newly eligible residents of Santa Clara County. We are excited that this expansion of Medi-Cal to persons 50 and older will allow these residents to continue to see their SCVMC provider, while accessing the full benefits Medi-Cal has to offer,” said George Hurrell, SCVMC’s Director of Business Development and Managed Care. “The SCVMC Patient Access Services team can help these residents navigate the sometimes-daunting enrollment process.”
More information is also available on the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency’s Medi-Cal website.
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ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, California, making it more populous than 14 states in the U.S. The County provides essential services to its residents, including public health protection, environmental stewardship, medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and many other public benefits.
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Media Contact: María Leticia Gómez / Quan Vu, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119, [email protected]
Posted: May 4, 2022