 |
 |
 |
 |
Health Programs for Immigrants
Health Care Programs for Legal Residents of California
The state of California has a variety of health care insurance programs designed to increase opportunities for access and services to all state residents, including immigrants and their families. California has a very generous state-sponsored, health care system that provides coverage beyond federal requirements for immigrant groups. The programs in California are typically offered to all legal permanent residents, regardless of the number of years of residency.
Full Scope Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid Program) This program covers many low-income families and individuals. There are multiple categories of full-scope Medi-Cal, including those who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The broad eligibility categories include the following groups if they meet the income criteria:
Healthy Families (California’s State Children’s Health Insurance Program) The Healthy Families Program provides a comprehensive health insurance plan for uninsured children from 1 to 19 years of age with family incomes above the eligibility levels for Medi-Cal but below 250% of the federal poverty line (FPL), including legal permanent residents. Monthly premiums are required for participation in the program
Health Care Programs for All Residents of California The state of California has also created a variety of programs to address the diversity of the state’s population and health care needs. These programs are offered to all individuals regardless of their immigration status and include prenatal and perinatal services, extended health coverage for children, and indigent care programs specifically for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs). Similar to the Med-Cal and Healthy Families programs, these programs support coverage for children and pregnant women.
Prenatal/Perinatal Programs Presumptive Eligibility The Presumptive Eligibility (PE) program allows qualified providers to grant immediate, temporary Medi-Cal coverage for ambulatory prenatal care and prescription drugs for conditions related to pregnancy to low-income, pregnant patients, pending their formal Medi-Cal application. The program will cover an initial pregnancy but does not cover delivery or hospitalization and is available to any eligible woman.
Pregnancy Only Medi-Cal This program provides family planning, prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum related services to women under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) regardless of immigration status.
Children Programs California Kids This program provides health, dental and vision services to children between 2 and 18 years of age. The program is only available in select counties within California. Children ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families due to immigration status or income are eligible to apply.
Healthy Kids This program is a local health coverage program operated by local health plans in 10 counties within California. It is available to residents under 19 years of age who are ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families and whose family income is less than 300% of the FPL. Each family must reside within the respective county administering the program and monthly premiums average about $6 per child.
Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) CHDP is a preventive health program that provides periodic preventive screening, diagnosis and referrals for all low-income children and youth. Services include all necessary health assessments and a variety of laboratory tests.
Kaiser Permanente Child Health Plan This program provides health coverage for low-income children under the age of 19 who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families because of family income or immigration status. The program provides health insurance with a premium of $8 to $15 per child/per month, for a maximum of three children. Premiums are assessed based on family size and income. Additional children are covered at no extra premium.
Indigent Programs Seasonal Agricultural Migratory Worker Program and Rural Health Service Development Program In the 1970's, the California Legislature passed the Rural Health Services Act, which also implemented the Seasonal Agricultural Migratory Worker (SAMW) program and the Rural Health Service Development (RHSD) program. The SAMW and RHSD are state-only funded programs that provide health care services to California's farmworkers and to geographically isolated populations.
Rural Demonstration Projects – Special Populations and Geographic Isolation The initial legislation to create the Healthy Families Program also established the Rural Demonstration Projects (RDPs). RDPs are to focus on rural areas that have a significant level of uninsured children, including seasonal and migratory workers and their dependents.
Copyright ©2005 California Primary Care Association. Contact information and legal disclaimers.
|