Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal Office (Phone Number & Address)

If you are trying to locate a Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal Office near you, we can help. In the county of Santa Cruz, the Human Services Department (HSD) runs the Medi-Cal program. You can visit an HSD office near you to apply for Medi-Cal, submit documents, attend an interview, renew your benefits, and ask questions about Medi-Cal.

In this post, we will provide the list of Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County. See below.

For the closest Medi-Cal office near you, continue reading below.

Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal Office Locations

The Santa Cruz Medi-Cal office (HSD 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 HSD office locations in Santa Cruz County:

SANTA CRUZ

1020 Emeline Avenue,
Building B
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (888) 421-8080
For Hearing Impaired: California Relay Service 711

WATSONVILLE

18 W. Beach Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (888) 421-8080
For Hearing Impaired: California Relay Service 711

Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County FAQs

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

Who is eligible for Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County?

Medi-Cal is available to Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County?

There are three ways to apply for Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County:

• Online at mybenefitscalwin.org.
• Online through Covered California, at or by calling 1-800-300-1506.
• You can apply by phone. Call HSD at 1 (888) 421-8080 to have an application mailed to you.
• Apply in person at one of the HSD office locations listed below.

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 Santa Cruz County:

Your Medi-Cal application will be reviewed by the HSD to determine if you qualify.

This could take up to 45 days.

To check on the status of your application, contact your Local HSD office (see list of locations above).

If the HSD 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 Santa Cruz County, and compare plans, click here.

What does Medi-Cal Cover?

Medi-Cal pays for a wide variety of medical expenses, including:

Primary Medical Care

• Doctor visits
• Diagnostic testing
• Emergency services
• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Prescription drugs
• Dental services
• Health screenings for kids

Ongoing Care & Recovery

• Personal care services (IHSS)
• Occupational & physical therapy
• Outpatient drug abuse services
• Nursing facility stays
• Adult day health care
• Other medical-related costs

Medical supplies

• Durable medical equipment
• Transportation to doctor visits
• Transportation costs for children with disabilities

Additionally, depending on how you qualify for Medi-Cal, the program may pay for all of these services (full-scope Medi-Cal) or just some of them (partial-scope Medi-Cal).

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.

Who is Eligible for Medi-Cal Transportation in California?

If you’re covered by a Medi-Cal plan, your benefits include free transportation to and from health care appointments.

To qualify, you must have no other way to get to the appointment.

This benefit applies to:

• Medical appointments
• Dental appointments
• Mental health appointments
• Substance use disorder appointments
• Trips to pick up prescriptions or medical supplies
• Transportation by wheelchair van, litter van, or ambulance is also covered if needed.

Does Medi-Cal reimburse for mileage?

Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County Summary

We hope this post on Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal Office Locations was helpful.

Questions?

If you have further questions about Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz 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:

• • What Does Medi-Cal Dental Cover?
  • Medi-Cal Dental Coverage – 2024 Guide
  • Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal Sign Up Guide
  • Medi-Cal in Orange County (2024 Guide)
  • Medi-Cal Phone Number (Speak to a Live Person)
  • Appeal an IHSS Provider Denial