Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal provides a core set of health benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, immunization, pregnancy-related services and nursing home care. The Affordable Care Act ensures that all Medi-Cal health plans offer what is known as “essential health benefits." These 10 comprehensive services include the following categories:
- Outpatient (ambulatory) services.
- Emergency services.
- Hospitalization.
- Maternity and newborn care.
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment.
- Prescription drugs.
- Programs such as physical and occupational therapy (known as rehabilitative and habilitative services) and devices.
- Laboratory services.
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management.
- Children’s services, including oral and vision care.
Dental Benefits
Medi-Cal also provides dental benefits for adults and children.
You can find a Medi-Cal dentist through the Denti-Cal search engine.
For information on children’s dental services, visit the Denti-Cal website.
Medi-Cal also provides dental benefits for adults and children.
You can find a Medi-Cal dentist through the Denti-Cal search engine.
For information on children’s dental services, visit the Denti-Cal website.
- The following dental benefits are available for adults:
- Exams and X-rays.
- Cleanings.
- Fluoride treatments.
- Fillings.
- Anterior root canals (front teeth).
- Prefabricated crowns.
- Full dentures.
- Other medically necessary dental services.
Vision Benefits
Vision benefits are covered for those with full-scope Medi-Cal benefits. For information about Medi-Cal eligibility, individuals can contact their county human services agency. Vision benefits are described below.
Routine Eye Exam Once Every 24 Months
Contact a Medi-Cal provider directly for an appointment. For a list of vision providers, visit the online directory at the Find a Vision Care Provider page on the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website. For other vision program questions, individuals may contact DHCS’s Vision Services Branch at vision@dhcs.ca.gov.
Vision benefits are covered for those with full-scope Medi-Cal benefits. For information about Medi-Cal eligibility, individuals can contact their county human services agency. Vision benefits are described below.
Routine Eye Exam Once Every 24 Months
- All Medi-Cal members are eligible for a routine eye exam, which checks the health of the eyes and tests for an eyeglass prescription.
- Only members under 21 years old and residents of a nursing home receive coverage for eyeglasses (frames and lenses).
- Contact lens testing may be covered if the use of eyeglasses is not possible due to eye disease or condition.
- Low-vision testing is available for those with vision impairment that is not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery and that interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities (e.g., age-related macular degeneration).
- Artificial-eye services and materials are available for those individuals who have lost an eye or eyes to disease or injury.
Contact a Medi-Cal provider directly for an appointment. For a list of vision providers, visit the online directory at the Find a Vision Care Provider page on the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website. For other vision program questions, individuals may contact DHCS’s Vision Services Branch at vision@dhcs.ca.gov.
