Medi-Medi Plans: A Promising New Option for Californians Who Qualify for Medi-Cal and Medicare

Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media(CBM) – For decades, Medi-Cal has played a vital role in California’s healthcare infrastructure. Today, it provides health coverage to more than 15 million people, representing about 40 percent of the state’s population.This includes 1.6 million people dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal program Medicaid, has piloted a program in several counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Sacramento, and Tulare, that presents an option for Californians who qualify for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. By 2026, the Department of Health Services aims to make the program available to eligible individuals in all counties.Transforming Medi-Cal: A Vision for Better Health CareMedi-Cal transformation focuses on improving health care coordination, integration, quality, equity, and accessibility.A key component of this broader vision to enhance healthcare access and improve health outcomes for Californians is Medi-Medi Plans, a type of Medicare Advantage plan. Medi-Medi Plans are designed to coordinate care for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal by combining their Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one plan.Medicare and Medi-Cal operate separately, with different benefits and plans. This fragmented system can be confusing,...