SAN FRANCISCO – (INT) - Medi-Cal enrollment has increased rapidly in recent years, growing from about 8.6 million at the end of 2013 to more than 13.5 million, about one-third of the state population, in October 2016, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

In some counties, more than half of residents are covered by Medi-Cal. To qualify for full benefits, most adults must have an annual income of below about $16,600 for a single adult (138% of the federal poverty level or FPL) and satisfactory immigration status.

Children and parents are the largest group of Medi-Cal enrollees, making up half of the total caseload. Non-elderly adults who gained eligibility under the ACA are the second largest group (28% of enrollees), followed by seniors and persons with disabilities (15%). The remainder of the caseload mostly includes undocumented immigrants eligible for limited benefits.

Under current federal law, Medicaid is an open-ended entitlement: anyone who meets eligibility criteria can receive benefits, with the federal government paying for at least half the cost. Current federal proposals seek to cap federal funding and provide states with more flexibility to determine eligibility and benefits. It is too soon to know what impact this could have on California. But federal funds currently cover two-thirds of Medi-Cal costs; cuts would require state lawmakers to consider major changes to program structure and funding.

Story Date: April 24, 2017