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Medicare and Medi-Cal

Medicare and Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) are different. Some people have both. This page is education. It is not a determination that you qualify for Medi-Cal, Extra Help, or any product.

By Alan Blackwell, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent 0M71640. Published September 15, 2026. Updated September 19, 2026.

Two programs, two jobs

Medicare is federal health insurance mainly for people 65 or older and certain people with disabilities. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program and is based mainly on income, resources, and other state rules. They are not interchangeable, and having one does not automatically mean you have the other.

When someone has both

People with Medicare and Medi-Cal are often called dual eligible. Depending on the level of Medi-Cal, they may get help with Medicare costs or, in some counties, access to Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs). What a D-SNP costs when you have full Medi-Cal is on What Does a D-SNP Cost When You Have Full Medi-Cal?. Benefits vary by plan and ZIP code. We do not list or recommend those products here.

Extra Help is separate

Extra Help is a different program. That page explains what it is and how to apply. The 2026 copay amounts are on Extra Help copay levels. This page does not decide that you qualify.

Where to apply and check

Medi-Cal is handled through California’s official programs, not this website. Extra Help is through Social Security. For a complete list of Medicare products in your ZIP, use Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 711), or California HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.

My Medicare Checkup

Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The list shows the questions and items those answers raise. Confirm each one on Medicare.gov, with the plan, and with the doctor’s office.

You will get a list of questions to ask the office and items to confirm on Medicare.gov. You can also talk it through with Alan.

Screener

Medi-Cal screener (65+ / disabled)

California 2026 Aged & Disabled estimate for people with Medicare. Apply through the county.

Read: Can I pay less for Medicare?

This estimate is for Californians who are 65 or older, or who meet Social Security’s disability rules — the usual path for people who already have Medicare. It is not MAGI Medi-Cal for adults under 65. The county decides. This website cannot say that you qualify.

Aged & Disabled FPL (no share of cost): 138% FPL — $1,836.00 / $2,490.00 a month (April 2026 DHCS chart)
Resource limit: $130,000.00 individual / $195,000.00 couple (reinstated January 1, 2026)
Over the A&D FPL income limit, Medi-Cal with a share of cost may still be possible. This tool does not calculate a share-of-cost dollar amount.

HouseholdI am 65 or older, or I meet Social Security’s definition of disability.I receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income).Monthly income (before taxes)A&D FPL limit (individual): $1,836.00. This estimate subtracts the usual $20 general disregard.Countable resources2026 California non- resource limit (individual): $130,000.00. Home and usually one car do not count. SSI-linked Medi-Cal uses a much lower SSI resource test.

Enter income and resources to see which 2026 path this estimate is closest to. Leave a field blank to treat it as $0.

How to apply. Use BenefitsCal or your county social services office. Read DHCS Medi-Cal. In Los Angeles County, call Aging & Disabilities at 800-510-2020 or California HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 (TTY 711). For Part B premium help only, use the Medicare Savings Programs screener.

Screener

Medicare Savings Programs screener

California 2026 QMB, SLMB, and QI estimate. Apply through Medi-Cal.

Read: Can I pay less for Medicare?

Medicare Savings Programs are Medi-Cal programs that may pay your Part B premium — and, for QMB, certain Medicare deductibles and copays. This estimate uses California DHCS 2026 figures. The county decides. This website cannot say that you qualify.

QMB — may pay Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and copays (limit $1,330.00 / $1,804.00 a month)
SLMB — may pay the Part B premium (limit $1,596.00 / $2,165.00)
QI — may pay the Part B premium; limited slots; generally not combined with full Medi-Cal (limit $1,796.00 / $2,436.00)

HouseholdMonthly income (before taxes)California 2026 published monthly limits (individual): QMB $1,330.00, SLMB $1,596.00, QI $1,796.00. This estimate subtracts the usual $20 general disregard.Countable resources (bank accounts, cash, extra vehicles)California 2026 resource limit (individual): $130,000.00. Your home and usually one car do not count. Confirm with Medi-Cal.

Enter income and resources to see which program this 2026 estimate is closest to. Leave a field blank to treat it as $0.

How to apply. Use BenefitsCal, your county social services office, or DHCS Medicare Savings Programs. In Los Angeles County, call Aging & Disabilities at 800-510-2020 or California HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 (TTY 711).

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