Public Insurance
If you are uninsured and cannot afford needed medical care, you may be eligible for coverage through a public insurance plan, even if you work or own your own home.
Eligibility for all of the following programs is income-based, so you may find it helpful to figure out how your income compares to the "Federal Poverty Level," (FPL) which is used to determine eligibility. Some income is disregarded when calculating eligibility, and every program has different rules so, if a program seems designed for people like you but you think you are over the income limit, APPLY ANYWAY.
Public Insurance Options in California
Medi-Cal. Free coverage for Californian children and adults with low or no incomes and high health care needs; those with higher incomes may qualify but pay a Share of Cost.
AIM Program (Access for Infants and Mothers). Low cost coverage for mid-income pregnant women.
Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts. Free screening for breast and cervical cancer for uninsured women age 25 and older (breast cancer screening is limited to women 40 and older), and have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. Cancer treatment for eligible individuals diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Program (IMPACT). Free coverage for prostate cancer treatment for low-income, uninsured men over age 18.
County-Funded Programs for the Medically Indigent. Coverage for hospital and other urgent medical bills for low-income, uninsured adults who are not eligible for Medi-Cal or other programs.
MRMIP (California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program). Guaranteed, partially subsidized coverage for people who are unable to purchase individual health insurance because of a "pre-existing medical condition." [Note: Enrollment in MRMIP is capped at 7,100 people due to budget constraints and there is currently a waiting list.]
Healthy Families. Low cost health, dental and vision coverage for children under 18.
Healthy Kids (LA only). Low cost comprehensive health coverage program available to children in Los Angeles county between the ages of 0 to 18 years old who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. Premiums are $0-6 per month per child, depending on income.
Healthy San Francisco (SF residents only). Low cost medical care for uninsured SF residents 18-64 years old and at or below 500% FPL.
Kaiser Permanente Child Health Plan. Low cost health and dental coverage for uninsured children between the ages of 0-18 whose families earn up to 300% FPL and who do not qualify for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or Healthy Kids. Premiums are $8-15 per month per child, depending on income.
California Children's Services (CCS). Insurance and medical case management for children under 21 with severe disabilities and health problems, whose family income may be too high for Medi-Cal.
Community clinics. No cost or low cost primary, specialty and urgent care, offered to all Californians on a sliding scale basis.