Enroll in Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is a California healthcare program that helps people get affordable health, dental and vision insurance. It covers adults, families, older adults, and people with disabilities who meet the income requirements. Medi-Cal can also provide retroactive benefits up to three months prior to the date of your application.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, you must have an income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. That equals an annual income of $18,755 for an individual and $38,295 for a family of four. To learn more about the federal poverty level, explore the chart below:

Medi-Cal is a California healthcare program that helps people get affordable health insurance. The state of California determines who is eligible for Medi-Cal. KFHC has no control over who qualifies for Medi-Cal. You can learn more about who qualifies for Medi-Cal by visiting our Why Choose Us page.

If you believe you're eligible for Medi-Cal, you can apply for the program using one of the following methods:

• Online. Visit BenefitsCal to apply for benefits. This is a secure site, and all your information will be safe.
• By phone. Call the Kern County Department of Human Services at 877.410.8812 to see if you qualify for Medi-Cal.
• In person. Talk to the Kern County Department of Human Services, doctor, clinic or visit a Family Resource Center in your community. Many of these offices have staff available who can help you apply.

Learn more at the following websites:
Clinca Sierra Vista Health Insurance Assistance Program
OMNI Family Health Patient Navigation and Eligibility Services
Community Health Initiative of Kern County – Health Insurance
Family Resource Centers

After you've been accepted to Medi-Cal, you can select a health plan of your choice. To select KFHC as your health plan, follow these instructions:

• Fill out a Medi-Cal Choice Form. Fill out this form to select KFHC as your health plan. If you need a form, contact Health Care Options (HCO) at 661.633.7201 or 800.430.4263. Follow the instructions and answer every question on the form.
• Choose Kern Family Health Care on your Medi-Cal Choice Form. In the Health Plans section of your Medi-Cal Choice Form, completely fill in the oval next to "303 Kern Family Health Care." Be sure to choose a primary care provider (PCP) so we can assign you to the PCP of your choice when we get your enrollment form.
• Confirm your enrollment. HCO will send you a letter to confirm that you are enrolled as a member of KFHC. It may take 15 to 45 days to receive your confirmation.

Once we learn that you've selected KFHC for your health plan, we will mail you a member ID card and other membership materials you'll need. Please continue to use your regular Medi-Cal services while you wait for your membership materials.

You may not qualify for Medi-Cal if you are incarcerated, do not meet the income guidelines, or do not live in California.

If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be required to enroll in a managed care plan (also called a health plan) like Kern Family Health Care (KFHC). This is called mandatory enrollment. To learn about health plans you can enroll in, please go to www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov.

You have the right to disenroll from KFHC. If you are a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is required to be enrolled in a health plan, you will have to select a new plan if you disenroll from KFHC.

If you are an American Indian, you have the right to get your health care services from an Indian Health Care Provider (IHCP). You do not have to enroll in a health plan. You may also choose to disenroll from a health plan while getting your health care from an IHCP.

To learn how to disenroll from KFHC or change your health plan, call KFHC Member Services. To change your health plan, you will need to call Health Care Options at 1.800.430.4263 (TTY 1.800.430.7077 or 711),