Proponents of the expansion says the expense to the state is justified financially.
More than a quarter-million undocumented income-eligible adults age 50 and older in California are enrolled in Medi-Cal, as a result of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2021 initiative to expand the healthcare access regardless of immigration status, the California Department of Health Services has announced.
"We’re making sure that universal access to healthcare coverage becomes a reality here in California, and this expansion has gotten us one step closer – more than a quarter million undocumented Californians aged 50 and older now have good, quality health care," Newsom says.
DHCS implemented the older adult expansion to provide state-funded full scope Medi-Cal to people 50 years of age or older who are ineligible for federally-funded full scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status. This includes those who were enrolled in restricted scope Medi-Cal before implementation of the older adult expansion on May 1.
Proponents of the expansion says the expense to the state is justified financially, because people who have access to preventive services and regular healthcare and home-based care tend to stay healthier, and out of emergency rooms and nursing homes.
In May 2016, children under 19 years of age became eligible for full scope Medi-Cal benefits, and in January 2020, full scope Medi-Cal was extended to young adults ages 19 through 25, regardless of immigration status.
Starting January 1, 2024, Newsom’s Healthy California for All initiative will expand full scope Medi-Cal coverage to more than 700,000 undocumented adults ages 26 through 49 who are ineligible for federally funded Medi-Cal.
“We’re making sure that universal access to healthcare coverage becomes a reality here in California, and this expansion has gotten us one step closer – more than a quarter million undocumented Californians aged 50 and older now have good, quality healthcare.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
DHCS implemented the older adult expansion to provide state-funded full scope Medi-Cal to people 50 years of age or older who are ineligible for federally-funded full scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status.
Proponents of the expansion say people who have access to preventive services and regular healthcare and home-based care tend to stay healthier, and out of emergency rooms and nursing homes.
In May 2016, children under 19 years of age became eligible for full scope Medi-Cal benefits, and in January 2020, full scope Medi-Cal was extended to young adults ages 19 through 25, regardless of immigration status.
Starting January 1, 2024, Newsom’s Healthy California for All initiative will expand full scope Medi-Cal coverage to more than 700,000 undocumented adults ages 26 through 49 who are ineligible for federally funded Medi-Cal.