Medi Cal Rules Changing Drastically on Jan 1, 2024 - What You Need to Know
Are you familiar with the healthcare system in California?
If so, then you probably know a bit about Medi-Cal.
It's an important program for providing medical care to low-income people throughout the state, and it's always changing and evolving to meet new needs.
What Changes Are Coming to Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal has been a crucial aspect of California's healthcare system for decades.
As the state prepares for another year, various changes are on the horizon for the program.
Here are some changes to take note of:
Expansion of Medi-Cal Benefits: Starting Jan 1, 2024, new benefits will be introduced to reduce healthcare costs for Californians with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
This includes individuals with incomes of $33,975 or less and families of four with incomes of $69,375 or less. These upcoming changes aim to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for a broader population.
Introduction of Managed Care Plans: The current fee-for-service model of Medi-Cal will be replaced with managed care plans that provide advanced quality, access, accountability, health equity, and transparency.
Members can anticipate a multitude of enhancements stemming from the new requirements. Some notable improvements include:
Coordinated access to care;
More culturally competent care;
Better behavioral and physical health integration;
Focus on primary care use and investment;
Reinvestment in the community;
Robust engagement with community advisory groups;
Increased transparency.
Changes in Pharmacy Benefits: Medication coverage under Medi-Cal will change. The state will no longer pay for over-the-counter medications unless approved by the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary. Moreover, generic medications will be the first-line option for prescriptions.
Telehealth Expansion: Telehealth services are expanding in Medi-Cal, with benefits extended to include audio-only visits.
These benefits are expected to help more individuals gain access to healthcare, especially those living in rural areas or with mobility issues.
This change is part of California's efforts to reduce healthcare inequality across the state.
Changes in Asset Limitations: Starting in 2024, there will be no more asset limits due to a new law.
If you apply for Medi-Cal in 2023, the application process will require disclosure of assets and income information.
Currently, the asset limit for an individual is $130,000, with an increase of $65,000 for each additional household member (up to 10 members).
Medi-Cal will also take into account income information, including income from property.
However, if you apply for Medi-Cal in 2024, the application will no longer ask for asset information starting from January 1st.
Medi-Cal will still consider income information but will not take assets into account.
Rest assured that these changes aim to simplify the process and make it more accessible for everyone.
By staying up to date with the changes, you can be sure that you and your family are adequately protected in 2024 and beyond.
With a few proactive steps now, you can help make sure there are no surprises when these new changes take full effect.
Questions? Contact our office today!
DISCLAIMER: The content contained herein is for general informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on this information. No reader should act or refrain from acting based on information contained in this article without seeking advice of counsel.