Undocumented, Poor RivCo Residents Over 50 Now Eligible For Medi-Cal

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Regardless of immigration status, low-income Riverside County residents 50 and older are now eligible for full Medi-Cal health care coverage.

The expanded eligibility became effective May 1 and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year. Previously, adults 50 and older without legal status could get Medi-Cal benefits only in emergencies.

The new expansion, the first of its kind in the nation, is expected to provide full medical coverage to an additional 185,000 Californians, including at least 10,000 residents in Riverside County, according to county figures. Estimates from the state's Legislative Analyst's Office show the statewide Medi-Cal expansion is expected to cost California approximately $1.3 billion a year.

About 900,000 county residents currently rely on Medi-Cal for no-cost/low-cost health, mental health, and dental coverage, according to the numbers. Across California, there are about 14.5 million people currently enrolled in the state program.

To qualify for Medi-Cal coverage, annual income cannot exceed $17,609 for single people, $23,792 for a couple and $36,156 for a family of four. While many Californians who exceed the Medi-Cal limits may still be eligible for subsidized health insurance through Covered California, people without legal status are not allowed to buy via the marketplace under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Applications for Medi-Cal may be submitted at BenefitsCal.com, or by calling 877-410-8827.

Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, whose Fourth District includes the Coachella Valley, said the expansion will help many of his residents, especially in the eastern Coachella Valley, which has a long agricultural history and is heavily reliant on migrant farmworkers.

“We have a victory today, because we appreciate that we have the political will and the courage to finally, after 30 years of struggle, ensure that people who are 50 years of age have access to Medi-Cal so they can have health care,” Perez said. "Now that we have finally gained this reform, my commitment is that we implement the program on the ground for our folks daily.”

Isabel Coronel, a 77-year-old retired farmworker, said she knew many like herself would benefit from the expansion.

“I am glad that I am still alive to witness this moment,” she said. “Many of us are not here to benefit.”

Riverside County Board Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Jeff Hewitt said the expansion is an "important milestone" for residents.

"This expansion will help bring reliable social services to our most vulnerable populations who depend on Medi-Cal for their primary care," Hewitt said. "I look forward to the program’s success and thank all of our partners who continue to advocate for dependable access."

Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the Department of Public Social Services, said her agency is committed to reaching county residents "in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways so that anyone who qualifies can sign up and enjoy a healthier life and overall wellbeing."

Getting eligible undocumented residents to sign up for the Medi-Cal program will include trust-building. Newsom said last week that when someone applies for state-funded benefits, their information is only used to determine if they qualify; state laws protect the privacy of their information.

In May 2016, children under 19 years of age became eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits, and in January 2020, full Medi-Cal was extended to young adults ages 19 through 25, regardless of immigration status. Previously, these groups only qualified for limited Medi-Cal services, such as emergency, prenatal, and long-term care.

Subject to legislative approval, Newsom has proposed expanding Medi-Cal to all eligible residents, including people ages 26-49, regardless of age or immigration status.