Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County (2023 Guide)

Medi-Cal is the Medicaid program in California. It provides health coverage to people with low income and asset levels who meet certain eligibility requirements. If you live in the County of Santa Clara, California, and need help with Medi-Cal, we can help. In this post, we will review everything you need to know about Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County – including who is eligible for Medi-Cal, Medi-Cal income limits, how to apply for benefits, Social Services Agency (SSA) contact information, and Medi-Cal providers in Santa Clara County, including Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan.

Before we get into Medi-Cal eligibility guidelines, first, we will explain what Medi-Cal is about and California’s Medicaid expansion.

Next, we will explain the Medi-Cal eligibility guidelines in detail, including the income limit, which is the most important.

We will then walk you through the 3 ways you can apply for Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County.

Additionally, we will provide SSA contact information, including the phone number and hours of operation.

Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County, including what Medi-Cal covers.

Table of Contents:

• What is Medi-Cal
• What services are covered by Medi-Cal?
• Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County
• Medi-Cal Expansion in California
• Who is Eligible for Medi-Cal?
• Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Income Limits
• How to Apply for California Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County
• Apply for and Manage Medi-Cal Benefits Online
• Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Office Locations
• Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Phone Number
• Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans in Santa Clara County
• Medi-Cal Providers in Santa Clara County, California
• Santa Clara County Medi-Cal FAQs

What is Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid public health insurance program. Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost medical services for children and adults with limited income (and limited resources for some Medi-Cal programs).

The program is supported by federal and state taxes.

Effective January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medi-Cal coverage to previously ineligible adults (childless, non-disabled, non-elderly).

Medi-Cal Program and Services include:

• Children and Adults
• Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
• Teen Services
• Newborn Referral
• Long Term Care
• Dental

What services are covered by Medi-Cal?

• Outpatient (ambulatory) services
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services/devices (physical and occupational therapy)
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Certain adult dental services
• Pediatric services, including dental and vision care

Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County

In Santa Clara County, the Medi-Cal program is managed by the Social Services Agency (SSA).

In addition to Medi-Cal benefits, the SSA also handles CalFresh, CalWORKs, and General Relief applications and benefits.

Furthermore, MyBenefits Calwin is the website for Santa Clara County Residents to apply for and to view their benefits online.

Continue reading below for MyBenefits Calwin account information.

Medi-Cal Expansion in California

Effective January 1, 2014, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid benefits to low-income, childless adults between the ages of 19-64 who meet the low or no income requirements.

Also, starting on January 1, 2020, a new law in California gave full-scope Medi-Cal to young adults under the age of 26, and immigration status does not matter.

This is referred to as the Young Adult Expansion. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply.

Furthermore, beginning May 1, 2022, a new law in California will give full-scope Medi-Cal to adults 50 years of age or older and immigration status does not matter.

This is referred to as the Older Adult Expansion. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply to this new group.

Who is Eligible for Medi-Cal?

There are three ways you can qualify for Medi-Cal:

First, you can qualify if you meet the income limits.

To see if you qualify based on income, look at the chart below. Income numbers are based on your annual or yearly earnings.

Second, you can also get Medi-Cal if you are:

• 65 or older
• Blind
• Disabled
• Under 21
• Pregnant
• In a skilled nursing or intermediate care home
• On refugee status for a limited time, depending on how long you have been in the United States
• A parent or caretaker relative of an age-eligible child
• Have been screened for breast and/or cervical cancer (Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program)

Third, if you are enrolled in one of the following programs, you can also get Medi-Cal:

• CalFresh
• SSI/SSP
• CalWorks (AFDC)
• Refugee Assistance
• Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program

Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Income Limits

The Santa Clara County Medi-Cal income limit follows the California Medi-Cal Income Limit and is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL).

To be eligible for Medi-Cal, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:

• Children up to age 1 with family income up to 266 percent of FPL
• Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 266 percent of FPL
• Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 266 percent of FPL
• CHIP for children with family income up to 266%-322% percent of FPL
• Pregnant women with family income up to 213 percent of FPL
• Parents of minor children with family income up to 114 percent of FPL
• Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 100% of the FPL
• Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 138% of the FPL

Medi-Cal income limit charts

Below are the California Medi-Cal income limit charts, one showing eligibility for children and the other showing eligibility for adults.

First is the income limit for children by age category.

Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.

Next, you will find below the income limit for adults by category.

Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.

How to Apply for California Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County

There are several ways to apply for Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County:

• Online at BenefitsCal.com.
• Online through Covered California, at or by calling 1-800-300-1506.
• Call the Social Services Agency (SSA) during business hours Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm at 1-408-758-3800. 
• Apply in person at one of the SSA office locations listed below. We have also provided a list of DropBox office locations where documents can be submitted.
• Apply by mail – Call 408-758-3800 to get an application mailed or pick it up in one of the SSA offices listed below. Once completed, mail your application form to – PO Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103. You can also fax your completed application to 1-408-295-9248.

Apply for and Manage Medi-Cal Benefits Online

The BenefitsCal website is a fast, easy way for Santa Clara residents to apply for and manage public assistance services online, including Medi-Cal.

With a BenefitsCal account, you can perform the following tasks online:

• See if you are eligible for Medi-Cal and other benefits
• Apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and Cash Assistance Benefits
• Report Changes in your Household situation that may affect your benefits
• Renew your Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and Cash Assistance Benefits

If you currently have a BenefitsCal account, click here to log in and apply for or manage your Medi-Cal benefits.

However, if you do not currently have a BenefitsCal, click here to sign up for one. It only takes a few minutes.

The video below does a great job of explaining in detail how to sign up for a BenefitsCal account, and apply for and manage your benefits online.

We recommend watching the video in order to save time in navigating the BenefitsCal website.

Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Office Locations

Applications for the Medi-Cal Program can be completed in person at an SSA office location.

To begin the process you will need to locate the Social Services Regional Center that serves your area.

You should be prepared to spend a minimum of two hours at the Social Services Regional Center

Unless there is an emergent need for medical care, benefits may not be issued on the same day.

In addition to Medi-Cal, households can apply for CalFresh, General Relief, and CalWORKs at the following locations, which are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday except for county holidays:

See below for a list of SSA office locations in Santa Clara County:

Benefits Assistance Center

1867 Senter Road
San Jose CA 95112

General Assistance Services

1919 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112

North County Office

1330 W. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043

South County Office

379 Tomkins Court
Gilroy, CA 95020

DropBox Locations for Documents

Each of the above-listed office locations has a dropbox where you can submit documents as part of your Medi-Cal application.

In addition, the following offices also have dropbox locations.

When submitting a document through a dropbox, remember to include your name and case number on all submitted documents.

Continuing Benefit Services

1870 & 1877 Senter Road
San Jose CA 95112

CalWORKs Employment Services

1879 Senter Road
San Jose CA 95112

Santa Clara County Medi-Cal Phone Number

Here’s the phone number to call to speak to a live person regarding Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County:

Call the Social Services Agency (SSA) during business hours Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm at 1-408-758-3800.

Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans in Santa Clara County

When you first qualify for Medi-Cal, you are covered under Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service.

However, you must choose a health plan within 30 days. If you do not choose a plan within 30 days, the State will choose a plan for you.

If you find only one health plan, the county has chosen this plan for you. Please wait for your health plan information mailer in the mail.

If you find multiple health plans listed, please explore each plan and choose the one that suits you and your family’s needs.

Below is a list of Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan options available in Santa Clara County, California.

Medi-Cal Providers in Santa Clara County, California

When you enroll in (join) a Medi-Cal plan, you must choose a primary care provider (PCP).

Your PCP is the doctor or clinic you go to when you are sick or need a checkup.

To locate a Medi-Cal provider near you, click here to search the database of providers.

Once you are on the website, select a program (see image below) to search for doctors, dentists, hospitals, medical clinics, and dental clinics near you.

Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County:

Which low-income children and adults may be eligible for Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County?

Medi-Cal eligibility is based mainly on income, and in some cases, the property you own.

Medi-Cal has no sign-up period, therefore you can apply at any time.

Once you apply for Medi-Cal, a County Eligibility Worker will decide if you qualify.

How does the Medi-Cal application process work in Santa Clara County?

Here’s what you can expect after you apply for Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County:

First, Complete & Submit Application.

See above for the multiple ways you can apply for Medi-Cal in Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County.

Next, you will be required to submit paper documents to verify your income, citizenship, or other information that cannot be verified electronically or is questionable.

Within 45 Days of the day you apply for Medi-Cal, you will get a Notice of Action (NOA) in the mail.

The Notice of Action will let you know if your Medi-Cal application was approved or denied.

If your Medi-Cal application is approved:

• You will get a Benefits Identification Card (BIC) in the mail. For the first 45 days, you will be covered under Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal (also called, Regular Medi-Cal).
• Within 45 days of getting your BIC, you will be mailed information about your Health Plan options.
• Once you receive your Health Plan options, you have 30 days to select a plan. If you do not select a plan, a plan will be assigned to you.
• For a full list of medical plans that serve Santa Clara County, go to the Medi-Cal Managed Care Medical Plan Directory.
• For a full list of dental plans that serve Santa Clara County, go to the Medi-Cal Managed Care Dental Plan Directory.

Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County Summary

We hope this post on Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County was helpful.

Questions?

If you have further questions about Medi-Cal in Santa Clara County, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about Medi-Cal in California, including:

• • What Does Medi-Cal Dental Cover?
  • Medi-Cal Dental Coverage – 2023 Guide
  • Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal Sign-Up Guide
  • Medi-Cal in Orange County (2023 Guide)
  • Medi-Cal Phone Number (Speak to a Live Person)
  • How to Appeal a Provider IHSS Denial