Medi-Cal Information

The Basic Needs Center does not currently provide assistance with applications for Medi-Cal, a free or low-cost healthcare program. Below you can find information for partner agencies who do support with application assistance and answers to some commonly asked questions.

Information about Medi-Cal

What is Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is California’s version of a health care program. It offers no-cost and/or low-cost essential health benefits like: doctor and dentist appointments, prescription drugs, vision care, family planning, mental health care, and drug and alcohol treatments. To learn more about Medi-Cal and the benefits of enrolling in the program visit this page. All California residents are able to apply to Medi-Cal, including undocumented students with or without work authorization. To check your eligibility status, go here

To learn more about the differences between Medi-Cal and Covered California, go here

How long does it take to get Medi-Cal benefits?

The process for verifying Medi-Cal eligibility, from the time a completed application is received to when you receive your Benefits Identification Card (BIC), takes 45 days. Follow this link to read more about the eligibility verification process Once you first qualify for Medi-Cal and receive your BIC, you are covered under Fee-for-Service. Within 45 days of receiving your BIC, you will be mailed information explaining your health plan options. Recipients must choose a health plan within 30 days of receiving your health plan information mailer; if not, Medi-Cal will choose a plan for you. If your case is in Alameda County, you will automatically be assigned to the plan you qualify for. You must choose your primary care provider within 30 days.

How do I choose my Medi-Cal provider once I have been approved for Medi-Cal in Alameda County?

Once you get approved for Medi-Cal, you will be automatically placed into Alameda Alliance or Kaiser, depending on your circumstances. You will then have 30 days to choose from a list of Medi-Cal providers. From the list of providers, you must choose a primary care physician (PCP) in order to receive Medi-Cal benefits. The PCP will be the doctor that you see most often and is your first point of contact if you are trying to seek care from a specialist.

-List of providers under Alameda Alliance

-List of providers under Kaiser

Does Medi-Cal have dental benefits?

Medi-Cal offers many dental benefits such as preventative care, tooth extractions, fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, and more. Go here to learn more about the Medi-Cal Dental Program.

Where can I use Medi-Cal in Berkeley?

If you have Medi-Cal in Alameda County, your benefits can cover visits to other healthcare providers in Berkeley, as long as they accept Medi-Cal. You can find a list of providers accepted by Alameda Health Alliance here

Regardless of which county you are receiving Medi-Cal benefits in, you can use Medi-Cal for emergency room visits and prescription costs in Berkeley. You can use Medi-Cal at any emergency room across the US and to fill prescriptions at any California pharmacy that accepts Medi-Cal.

Partner Agencies who Support with Medi-Cal

Asian Health Services

East Bay organization that provides Medi-Cal application support, as well as health, social, and advocacy services for all regardless of income, insurance status, immigration status, language, or culture.

Call 510-318-5800 for assistance or click on the link to find other locations for application assistance.

Bay Area Legal Aid

For questions and complications with the Medi-Cal application, enrollment proccess, or other related issues contact Bay Area Legal Aid (BALA). BALA has a larger scope for Medi-Cal and common complications that arise with the program.

Medi-Cal Information