If you are trying to locate a Monterey County Medi-Cal Office near you, we can help. In the county of Monterey, the Department of Social Services (DSS) runs the Medi-Cal program. You can visit a DSS office near you to apply for Medi-Cal, submit documents, attend an interview, renew your benefits, and ask questions about Medi-Cal, including Dental coverage.
In this post, we will provide the list of Monterey County Medi-Cal Office locations, with phone numbers.
However, before you visit an office location, you can save yourself time by reviewing our frequently asked questions below.
We have provided answers to the top reasons why people visit the Medi-Cal Office in Monterey County. See below.
For the closest Medi-Cal office near you, continue reading below.
Monterey County Medi-Cal Office Locations
The Monterey Medi-Cal office (DSS Offices) locations below are listed by area, so you have to scroll down to find the location near you.
Additionally, for each office location below, we have provided a phone number to call in case you have questions.
In addition to Medi-Cal, you 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:
See below for a list of DSS office locations in Monterey County:
Salinas
1000 S. Main Street, Suite 216
Salinas CA 93901
Phone: 831-755-4650
Toll-Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Seaside
1281 Broadway Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone: 831-899-8001
Toll-Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
King City
116 Broadway Street
King City, CA 93930
Phone 831-385-7400
Toll-Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Medi-Cal in Monterey County FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Medi-Cal in Monterey County:
Who is eligible for Medi-Cal in Monterey County?
Medi-Cal is available to Monterey County residents who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, legal aliens, or U.S. nationals.
There are several ways to qualify for the program.
First, you can qualify based on Income. To see the income limits, see our post on Medi-Cal income limits.
Also, you can qualify because you meet certain requirements that relate to your health or age. You are eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits if you are:
- Over the age of 65
- Blind or disabled
- Pregnant
- In a nursing or intermediate care home
- Under the age of 21
- A refugee living in the U.S. temporarily
As a parent or guardian relative of a child who is under the age of 21, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal if you’re taking care of the child because the parents:
- Have died
- Do not live with the child
- Are incapacitated
- Are not employed
Additionally, you may also qualify for Medi-Cal benefits if you are already enrolled and receiving benefits from one of the following programs:
- CalFresh
- SSI/SSP
- CalWorks (AFDC)
- Refugee Assistance
- Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program
How do I Apply for Medi-Cal in Monterey County?
There are three ways to apply for Medi-Cal in Monterey County:
- Online at www.benefitscal.com.
- Online through Covered California, at or by calling 1-800-300-1506.
- You can apply by phone. Call DSS at 1-877-410-8823 to have an application mailed to you.
- Apply in person at one of the DSS office locations listed above.
Is it safe to apply for Medi-Cal through Covered California?
Yes. Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same application.
This means that once you apply using CoveredCA.com, you’ll find out which program you qualify for. Some households qualify for both.
What Happens After I apply for Medi-Cal?
Here’s what happens after you apply for Medi-Cal in Monterey County:
Your Medi-Cal application will be reviewed by the DSS to determine if you qualify.
This could take up to 45 days.
To check on the status of your application, contact your Local DSS office (see list of locations above).
If the DSS determines you qualify and are approved for Medi-Cal, you will receive a packet in the mail with your Medi-Cal ID card.
Once you receive your Medi-Cal card, which is also known as a Benefit Identification Card (BIC), you can start using your Medi-Cal benefits.
You Must Choose a Health Plan
After you are approved for Medi-Cal, you must choose a health care plan and/or provider within 30 days of receiving your packet.
If you do not choose a plan and/or provider within 30 days, one will be assigned to you.
To see a list of health plans available to you in Monterey County, and compare plans, click here.
How does the Covered California Exchange Work?
The Covered California Exchange helps Californians comply with the Obamacare mandate.
It helps individuals and families obtain health coverage that includes the minimum essential benefits required by the law.
Certain health care providers are certified to offer subsidized health and dental plans through the Exchange.
For people with a household income that is below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (“FPL”), Covered California may qualify them to receive financial assistance, also called a “Subsidy”, which reduces their premium.
Additionally, if income is between 138% and 250% of the FPL, the State Exchange may also qualify individuals for extra discounts that reduce their cost of medical services.
Are there any co-pays, premiums, or out-of-pocket expenses for Medi-Cal?
It depends. If you have a SOC or Share of Cost, you will need to pay that amount each month to your provider.
However, there are no other co-payment, premiums, or out-of-pocket expenses if you see and receive Medi-Cal-covered benefits through a Medi-Cal provider.
What is Medi-Cal Share of Cost?
If you make too much money to qualify for free Medi-Cal, you will have a Share of Cost payment.
A Share of Cost (also referred to as a SOC) is the amount of money an individual is responsible to pay towards their medical-related services, supplies, or equipment before Medi-Cal will begin to pay.
You only pay your Share of Cost in the month(s) you receive medical-related services, supplies, or equipment, including prescriptions and In-Home Supportive
Services.
After you meet your Share of Cost, Medi-Cal pays for your care for the rest of that month.
Does Medi-Cal Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Yes. However, there are requirements that have to be met for Medi-Cal to cover weight loss surgery.
In most cases, individuals covered by Medicaid services may be eligible to have some forms of bariatric surgery covered.
However, for the surgery to be approved by Medi-Cal, it needs to be deemed medically necessary.
This means that an individual’s doctor usually must exhaust all other options prior to considering bariatric surgery, and a physician will need to demonstrate that bariatric surgery is necessary in order to limit or eliminate potentially life-threatening medical conditions.
Additionally, the individual may be required to try various medications and other less-invasive options prior to surgery being considered a covered expense by Medicaid.
How much does IHSS pay in California?
IHSS Service providers are paid an hourly rate set by Medi-Cal for their county.
As of 2021, these rates are between $14.00 and $17.50 / hour.
In general, the value of the services provided through the IHSS program will not exceed $3,500 per month.
On average, an IHSS provider is paid closer to $2,200 per month.
Medi-Cal in Monterey County Summary
We hope this post on Monterey County Medi-Cal Office Locations was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about Medi-Cal in Monterey County, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Medi-Cal and California Medicaid program, including:
