You are correct, rent is too darn high. However, what I see are muti-generational families. It is not uncommon to have three separate tax household families under one roof: grandparent, parent, young adult. Together, they make enough to pay the rent. Individually, because of their low wages, they may qualify for Medi-Cal.
@ but multi generational household isn’t really possible for a lot of people. Like for me I was in the foster system and true I was adopted, but they considered me a foster child so after after 18 I’m out on my own with no help, I didn’t have kids so it’s not like I can get tax credits for that. Most of the people that I go to school with multi generational household, but that’s not possible for a lot of people and there should be some sort of tax credit or recognition for those of us who are forced to live in our own household, I even have a roommate and rent is still 1500.
@ but you are right yes in theory, if you have kind parents, or grandparents, or siblings or even a child then your life will be easier and you’ll get more recognition and or help from either the government or family
@@JuliahistoryLover I'm not sure of the age or income limits, but there is special assistance for former foster youth through Medi-Cal. You may want to reach out your local county Medi-Cal office to see if you qualify. The 2024 monthly income of $1,732 for Medi-Cal is the gross amount of income. The income can be lowered by contributions to an IRA and interest in student loan debt. There are other deductions that can be taken to lower the income to qualify for Medi-Cal.
It is so crazy we don't have nationalized medi-cal, and force employers to 100% pay for healthcare coverage if you do have a job... but they'd have to get rid of that estate claim bit at the end when you die. It would just make it so much easier if you lost your job. The whole system is really messed up.
Health care is not viewed as public good or infrastructure (roads, bridges, water systems, etc.) that needs to be maintained for the whole of our society. Health care is viewed as a profit center by many of the participants such as health plans, insurance, doctors, hospitals, labs, etc. The providers of health care have too much weight or importance with government officials who make decisions about how health care delivery is structured and paid for in our country. Consequently, health care has been shaped to maximize the revenue for many of the providers at the expense of the consumer. We have developed a patch work of different systems to attempt to serve the needs of the entire population. The system is overly complicated. Even the most educated individual - especially when they are in pain from a health challenge - are flummoxed on how to negotiate the health care system.
I agree. Also Illegal immigrants don’t pay anything for medi-cal, food stamps, housing, or cash aid. Taxpayers are paying for them, but get nothing in return. Make it make sense.
This video only pertains to Modified Adjusted Gross Income Medi-Cal. There are many Medi-Cal programs with different federal poverty income levels. There is one program for the working disabled that has a different income level for eligibility.
@@KevinKnauss Right, thank you so much.... but do you have a video on this as I dont understand why everhyone just doenst do the working disabled who needs more income to surivive?
@@sylvie5894 Good question. There are 2 different working disabled programs with different income levels. I'll start researching and determine how they are different and put together a video. Thank you for the suggestion.
@@KevinKnauss when you post it please feel free to add my @sylvie5894 under your video as I otherwise wont know when its posted but maybe i will subscribe to your channel; as there is so little on this topic
If my family has 5 and were slightly over the $4208 monthly and I’m 18 should I split up and say apply on my own so I can keep medi cal and my parents can with their 4 ppl
If the household income is over $4,208 monthly income, all adults would be eligible for Covered California with the subsidies. Dependents, up to 19 years of age, would remain Medi-Cal until the income is over $8,111. Currently, if the household reported the income to Medi-Cal, and it is over $4,208, all the adults would have Medi-Cal terminated and moved over to Covered California. If you were 19, and still a dependent, you would also gain Covered California with the subsidies. Your strategy of removing yourself from the household to lower the income threshold, household of 5 to 4, and gaining Covered CA for the remaining adults would have more merit if the income slightly under $4,208, but over $3,588. At $3,588 income, adults would gain Covered CA in a household of 4. As it stands, it would better to just report the higher income to Medi-Cal, with you in the household. If Medi-Cal determines the income is greater than $4,208, adults would gain Covered California.
@@KevinKnauss thanks for the response. So just to clarify does medical consider 18 or 19 year olds as adults? I’m 18 turning 19 in 3 months and want to know if I’m going to have to move to covered California
@@Quangcurry13524 You will only move to Covered CA when you turn 19 IF the family reports the increase income to Medi-Cal AND they determine all adults (19 years of age plus) eligible for Covered CA.
Hi Kevin thank you for this information. What about in my case my husband suffered a brain stroke. I’m the only income at home his in Edd disability. How much I need to make $ to qualify him for medical? I’m Confused with all those terms and percentages.
If you are a 2-person household, then monthly income below $2,352 per month will secure eligibility to MAGI Medi-Cal for individuals under 65 years of age.
Hello Kevin, I have 2 adults and 3 minor children, incomes $5773/mo gross, living in Northern California. I had two county workers each gave me different info, one said during last year renewal that we were all eligible for medical, and one told me just few days ago that both us adults are no longer eligible even no change in incomes. Could you tell us, are we eligible or not?
Based on the February 2024 Covered California income table, for a family of 5, at $5,773 monthly income, the adults would be eligible for Covered California and the dependent children would be Medi-Cal eligible. The threshold for adult Medi-Cal in a household of 5 is a monthly income under $4,208 per month, $50,481 annually. It is possible that last year, when we were still under the Public Health Emergency guidelines, based on a previous lower income, Medi-Cal was not terminating people. All of that has been lifted. If you have verified your income with the county Medi-Cal office, eventually, the adults should transition to Covered California based solely on income.
Hi Kevin! Thank you for the detailed video. I wanted to get some clarification, I’m currently pregnant would I count my unborn baby in my household size?
You won't count your baby, but Medi-Cal will figure it into the equation. For example, pregnant women can qualify for the Medi-Cal for Pregnant individuals up to 213% of the federal poverty level. Normally, for adults, you have to earn less, 138% FPL to qualify for Medi-Cal. To your point, you just have to notify Medi-Cal of your situation, and they will take care of the rest.
Medi-Cal can modify the income they use to determine eligibility in a variety of ways. If a reduction for maintenance reduces the income under the higher FPL dollar amount, then the person would be eligible.
I just got approved for unemployment. My weekly benefit amount is $443 (1,772 mth). I've elected to have federal taxes taken out, so I'm really only getting $1,594.80. Does this make me eligible for Medi-Cal? Thank you Kevin. I'd appreciate your help.
The guidance agents have been given is that the gross income amount is used for eligibility determination. Part of the rationale for this is because some people, even though taxes have been withheld, will owe no tax. However, if you apply through Covered California, you would most likely be eligible for a health plan at $0 premium per month. When the unemployment income ends, you would then transition to Medi-Cal.
@@KevinKnausswait so you can get a $0 covered California plan while on unemployment? I'm confused. I was about to report my income to medical since I qualify for thr max unemployment at $450 per week or $1800 per month. The only reason I haven't canceled it yet is because I am scheduling a dentist appointment because these assholes left a hole in my tooth because their filling fell out the same day. I have had to deal with canceled appointments for like 7 months. Also calling them is like pulling teeth. Literally can't be on the phone all day trying to get ahold of a representative just to cancel.
For a single adult, the income from unemployment insurance benefits is high enough to qualify for a Silver plan at or near $0 per month. The downside, for some, is losing Denti-Cal, which doesn't sound to be working to well for you. Once in Covered California, you can enroll in an HMO dental plan anywhere from $10 to $20 per month. Of course, there will be some fees for dental service like having the cavity refilled. On the upside, there are more dentist that participate in HMO dental plans than Denti-Cal.@@jerkface38
Hi , thank you so much, it’s very helpful. Just a little confused, the workers calculate base on monthly paycheck or tax year income ? Every year renew they ask both information.
Medi-Cal eligibility is generally based on monthly income. The eligibility can be based on the annual income if requested. This would happen with people with fluctuating incomes. One month they may have $0 income, then the next might be $10,000 because of progress payments, contracts, distributions from investments, etc. Those people with fluctuating incomes that do not want Medi-Cal, will request the county to evaluate their annual income, not the monthly dollar amounts.
The federal poverty levels are updated in January by the Department of Health and Human Services. The California Department of Health Care Services then distributes the updated information to the counties at the beginning of February and at the same time updates their computer system with the new dollar amounts. Covered California also receives the updates and the new numbers are loaded into the application for March enrollments.
I appreciate your UA-cam channel. Thank you for sharing. Can you please give me some information that I'm not finding anywhere and when I called Medi-Cal I'm placed on hold for over an hour. This is my situation: I'm 76 years old drawing Social Security of $1,909 per month and living in Kern County. I have no savings. My question is, what is the maximum I can make in earned income working without losing my Medi-Cal benefits? My work is sporadic. For example, I didn't have any income from September of 2023 through the remainder of the year. Thank you for your time.
If you are a single individual, the calculated income for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary is $1,275 per month. For Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary, the income must be under $1,526. That you SS is higher than these numbers and you have Medi-Cal could mean that Medi-Cal in calculating your income lower because of a number expenses such as health insurance premiums and other deduction.
Hello! I hope you can answer some of my questions. I have medi-cal right now but I recently just got a second part time job and will be making around 3-4k a month after taxes. I been on medi-cal for 4 years now since the pandemic because I was in college and wasn't working much. My main job does not offer insurance but my second job offers medical insurance but I am afraid incase I leave my second job due to different reasons. If I stay on medi-cal, will I get in trouble by the government? It could be assumed I'm trying to evade having to pay extra for health care or if this is something like fraud? Do you know the consequences for not reporting or sending a lower paystub? Please advise, thanks.
You agreed to report any changes to your household situation within 10 days to Medi-Cal. An increase of income or offer employer sponsored insurance would fall within the changes. Many people have unwittingly not reported such changes and there were no adverse consequences in terms of penalties. However, it is the right thing to do - report the income and employer offered health insurance. Even if you leave your second job, you could jump into Covered California with subsidies or, go back to Medi-Cal if your income is low enough. It can be a major hassle, reporting the changes, filling out applications, selecting health plans, etc. I wish it were easier, but they don't make it easy to get health insurance most of the time.
Hi Kevin, thank you for the details, but I have a question. I'm disabled and on SS, Social Security does not count the benefit as income. Does medical? thanks!
Social Security Retirement and Disability income count for Covered California and Medi-Cal as both are part of the Modified Adjusted Gross Income calculation. Supplemental Security Income does not count in the MAGI.
Once the higher FPLs are put in place, people need to be very careful about making any changes to the Covered California account. You need to check to make sure the income is over the higher FPL or CC flips you into Medi-Cal.
@@KevinKnauss yer, that is what happened. my income has basically been flat so i didnt think to tell CC i was making more just to stay on that plan. medi-cal is already a nightmare and i havent even started looking for care. thank you for explaining all of this
@@naptime43x Eventually you will be placed into or offered an HMO plan (depending on your county) where you can select a primary care physician. Medi-Cal does work, you just have to understand the system and it is a slow start at first.
@@KevinKnauss it appears to be slow all around. finding a doctor within 30 minutes that is accepting new patients over 18. community health is the most difficult, they dont even have a map to view locations. i am still not really sure how this benefit actually benefits me. free stuff? thanks, i guess?
@@naptime43x The best provider directory is with the Medi-Cal HMO plans. You need to learn what plans your county offers, then go to that website to do a provider search.
Hi Kevin,i just got a letter saying that i did not qualify for magi,but i never apllied,does that mean my regular medical is also cancelled or how does this work?im very confused.
If this is a letter from Covered California, they list programs that you did not apply for and tell notify you that you are ineligible. It should not impact your current Covered California health plan. If the letter is from Medi-Cal, CC sent them your information for some reason. Regardless, your CC plan should not change. However, I would check your CC account or call CC and verify all is good.
Hi Kevin, when the kids are on medi-cal but the adults are on ACA, the ACA subsidy will be reduced by a fair amount since ACA will treat the family as just a household of 2 adults only. So the ACA premium will be higher for the 2 adults. Is that correct?
For the purposes of the subsidy, you are still a household of 4, but only 2 need health insurance. The importance of the household size is the applicable figure (IRS term) that determines the consumer fair share percentage. The higher the household size, the potentially lower the consumer responsibility percentage. Each family member is assigned a monthly subsidy based on the family size, income, and second lowest cost Silver plan. Why the subsidy may decrease with family of 4 (two not applying for coverage) is subsidy necessary to bring the cost of insurance down to the consumer fair share percentage.
Does income include Social Security? My mother has a rental home. Does her rental income count as income? It doesn't matter what the limits are if you don't know what is included.
The Modified Adjusted Gross Income for Covered California includes the Adjusted Gross Income on one's federal income tax return PLUS Social Security Retirement, tax-exempt interest, and foreign earned income. I'll work on putting together a video on the topic. Thank you.
The counties administer Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment based on Department of Healthcare Services rules. There should be no perceptible difference between the counties. Kaiser is another issue. Kaiser is not available in all counties and may be limited in other counties. You may not be able to enroll into, or keep, Kaiser coverage if you move too far away from their facilities.
Just subscribed very helpful vid! I have a question I’m on disability and have a monthly income of $1,374.70 with a total savings of $110,000 which is in a high yield savings account at 5% interest which generates me additional $458 income on top of my disability. Would this disqualify me as interest rates can fluctuate? If so is there a work around to qualify maybe by moving my money into somewhere that earns little to no interest and then apply and then move it back to the high yield savings afterwards? Or is that not recommended. Thanks!
I'm assuming you are under 65, don't have Medicare, and are on MAGI Medi-Cal. If you report the monthly interest income, you could lose Medi-Cal. However, you would be offered a health plan that would likely have a $0 monthly premium and very lost cost health care expenses. The reporting is a little bit of a grey area. If the interest is just rolled into the principal of the investment, and you don't receive a deposit into your checking account, it could be construed as an increase of assets. We do know it is fluctuating income and Medi-Cal can view fluctuating income differently in their budget calculations. Before you changed any of your investment strategy or instruments, try and contact your Medi-Cal case worker and see how they would treat the interest income. Just talking to them doesn't mean you are reporting a change. Based on their guidance, you'll be able to better identify paths forward.
@@KevinKnauss I’m under 65, Im disabled and on Medicare and I’m looking into relocating to California (currently living in NY). Does that change anything?
If you are a single adult, the disability income plus interest technically puts you over either Qualified Medicare Beneficiary and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary income levels, assets are not considered. You would not lose Medicare, just the Extra Help that Medi-Cal may provide. However, even though the budget worksheet calculations seem to be stricter for the Medicare Savings Program for the Medi-Cal extra help, you should still apply. Again, because the interest income fluctuates, that might be factored in. In addition, they also review your last filed tax return, which can help many people as the tax return shows other deductions reducing the income they count for eligibility.@@kylemc2189
Hi Kevin, let's say a family of 5 has income of $5,000 a month, they contribute $800 to IRA for the month. Will the medi-cal office consider $4,200 to be their monthly income and thus qualifying them for medi-cal?
In LA you can’t even get apartments for less than $1700 so how the heck is someone supposed to make enough of roof over their head?
You are correct, rent is too darn high. However, what I see are muti-generational families. It is not uncommon to have three separate tax household families under one roof: grandparent, parent, young adult. Together, they make enough to pay the rent. Individually, because of their low wages, they may qualify for Medi-Cal.
@ but multi generational household isn’t really possible for a lot of people. Like for me I was in the foster system and true I was adopted, but they considered me a foster child so after after 18 I’m out on my own with no help, I didn’t have kids so it’s not like I can get tax credits for that. Most of the people that I go to school with multi generational household, but that’s not possible for a lot of people and there should be some sort of tax credit or recognition for those of us who are forced to live in our own household, I even have a roommate and rent is still 1500.
@ but you are right yes in theory, if you have kind parents, or grandparents, or siblings or even a child then your life will be easier and you’ll get more recognition and or help from either the government or family
@@JuliahistoryLover I'm not sure of the age or income limits, but there is special assistance for former foster youth through Medi-Cal. You may want to reach out your local county Medi-Cal office to see if you qualify. The 2024 monthly income of $1,732 for Medi-Cal is the gross amount of income. The income can be lowered by contributions to an IRA and interest in student loan debt. There are other deductions that can be taken to lower the income to qualify for Medi-Cal.
@@JuliahistoryLover True, there are a variety of situations that leave people without affordable health coverage.
How much for a household of 2 my daughter just turn 18
$2,352 per month.
It is so crazy we don't have nationalized medi-cal, and force employers to 100% pay for healthcare coverage if you do have a job... but they'd have to get rid of that estate claim bit at the end when you die. It would just make it so much easier if you lost your job. The whole system is really messed up.
Health care is not viewed as public good or infrastructure (roads, bridges, water systems, etc.) that needs to be maintained for the whole of our society. Health care is viewed as a profit center by many of the participants such as health plans, insurance, doctors, hospitals, labs, etc. The providers of health care have too much weight or importance with government officials who make decisions about how health care delivery is structured and paid for in our country.
Consequently, health care has been shaped to maximize the revenue for many of the providers at the expense of the consumer. We have developed a patch work of different systems to attempt to serve the needs of the entire population. The system is overly complicated. Even the most educated individual - especially when they are in pain from a health challenge - are flummoxed on how to negotiate the health care system.
I agree. Also Illegal immigrants don’t pay anything for medi-cal, food stamps, housing, or cash aid. Taxpayers are paying for them, but get nothing in return. Make it make sense.
Very helpful! Thank you for your generous time breaking this down.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge,Kevin.
I am so confused... I thought disabled people had the optoin to do the Working Disabled Medi-cal program and make up to $3300/mo or so?
This video only pertains to Modified Adjusted Gross Income Medi-Cal. There are many Medi-Cal programs with different federal poverty income levels. There is one program for the working disabled that has a different income level for eligibility.
@@KevinKnauss Right, thank you so much.... but do you have a video on this as I dont understand why everhyone just doenst do the working disabled who needs more income to surivive?
@@sylvie5894 Good question. There are 2 different working disabled programs with different income levels. I'll start researching and determine how they are different and put together a video. Thank you for the suggestion.
@@KevinKnauss That would be GREAT! Thank you so much.... If possible, please tag me when you post it so i dont miss it!
@@KevinKnauss when you post it please feel free to add my @sylvie5894 under your video as I otherwise wont know when its posted but maybe i will subscribe to your channel; as there is so little on this topic
If my family has 5 and were slightly over the $4208 monthly and I’m 18 should I split up and say apply on my own so I can keep medi cal and my parents can with their 4 ppl
If the household income is over $4,208 monthly income, all adults would be eligible for Covered California with the subsidies. Dependents, up to 19 years of age, would remain Medi-Cal until the income is over $8,111. Currently, if the household reported the income to Medi-Cal, and it is over $4,208, all the adults would have Medi-Cal terminated and moved over to Covered California. If you were 19, and still a dependent, you would also gain Covered California with the subsidies.
Your strategy of removing yourself from the household to lower the income threshold, household of 5 to 4, and gaining Covered CA for the remaining adults would have more merit if the income slightly under $4,208, but over $3,588. At $3,588 income, adults would gain Covered CA in a household of 4.
As it stands, it would better to just report the higher income to Medi-Cal, with you in the household. If Medi-Cal determines the income is greater than $4,208, adults would gain Covered California.
@@KevinKnauss thanks for the response. So just to clarify does medical consider 18 or 19 year olds as adults? I’m 18 turning 19 in 3 months and want to know if I’m going to have to move to covered California
@@Quangcurry13524 You will only move to Covered CA when you turn 19 IF the family reports the increase income to Medi-Cal AND they determine all adults (19 years of age plus) eligible for Covered CA.
Thanks so much Kevin. Are those figures consistent in all Counties of CA?
Yes, the dollar amounts apply statewide for MAGI Medi-Cal for under 65-year individuals who are not on Medicare.
Hi Kevin thank you for this information. What about in my case my husband suffered a brain stroke. I’m the only income at home his in Edd disability. How much I need to make $ to qualify him for medical? I’m
Confused with all those terms and percentages.
If you are a 2-person household, then monthly income below $2,352 per month will secure eligibility to MAGI Medi-Cal for individuals under 65 years of age.
Hello Kevin, I have 2 adults and 3 minor children, incomes $5773/mo gross, living in Northern California. I had two county workers each gave me different info, one said during last year renewal that we were all eligible for medical, and one told me just few days ago that both us adults are no longer eligible even no change in incomes. Could you tell us, are we eligible or not?
Based on the February 2024 Covered California income table, for a family of 5, at $5,773 monthly income, the adults would be eligible for Covered California and the dependent children would be Medi-Cal eligible. The threshold for adult Medi-Cal in a household of 5 is a monthly income under $4,208 per month, $50,481 annually.
It is possible that last year, when we were still under the Public Health Emergency guidelines, based on a previous lower income, Medi-Cal was not terminating people. All of that has been lifted. If you have verified your income with the county Medi-Cal office, eventually, the adults should transition to Covered California based solely on income.
Thank you Kevin,
Hi Kevin! Thank you for the detailed video. I wanted to get some clarification, I’m currently pregnant would I count my unborn baby in my household size?
You won't count your baby, but Medi-Cal will figure it into the equation. For example, pregnant women can qualify for the Medi-Cal for Pregnant individuals up to 213% of the federal poverty level. Normally, for adults, you have to earn less, 138% FPL to qualify for Medi-Cal. To your point, you just have to notify Medi-Cal of your situation, and they will take care of the rest.
@@KevinKnaussthank you so much !
Hi Kevin! Thank you for the very useful information. Can you clarify for me, please? Are these income limits gross or after tax?
Modified Adjusted Gross Income.
@@KevinKnaussThank you!
What about the $600 maintenance fee, that can be deducted from income? (For a disabled 61 year old)
Medi-Cal can modify the income they use to determine eligibility in a variety of ways. If a reduction for maintenance reduces the income under the higher FPL dollar amount, then the person would be eligible.
I just got approved for unemployment. My weekly benefit amount is $443 (1,772 mth). I've elected to have federal taxes taken out, so I'm really only getting $1,594.80. Does this make me eligible for Medi-Cal?
Thank you Kevin. I'd appreciate your help.
The guidance agents have been given is that the gross income amount is used for eligibility determination. Part of the rationale for this is because some people, even though taxes have been withheld, will owe no tax. However, if you apply through Covered California, you would most likely be eligible for a health plan at $0 premium per month. When the unemployment income ends, you would then transition to Medi-Cal.
@@KevinKnausswait so you can get a $0 covered California plan while on unemployment? I'm confused. I was about to report my income to medical since I qualify for thr max unemployment at $450 per week or $1800 per month. The only reason I haven't canceled it yet is because I am scheduling a dentist appointment because these assholes left a hole in my tooth because their filling fell out the same day. I have had to deal with canceled appointments for like 7 months. Also calling them is like pulling teeth. Literally can't be on the phone all day trying to get ahold of a representative just to cancel.
For a single adult, the income from unemployment insurance benefits is high enough to qualify for a Silver plan at or near $0 per month. The downside, for some, is losing Denti-Cal, which doesn't sound to be working to well for you. Once in Covered California, you can enroll in an HMO dental plan anywhere from $10 to $20 per month. Of course, there will be some fees for dental service like having the cavity refilled. On the upside, there are more dentist that participate in HMO dental plans than Denti-Cal.@@jerkface38
Hi Kevin, the interest earned from investment will count as an income for MAGI MediCal and Covered California?
Yes, interest income is counted.
Good info. thanks Kevin.
Hi , thank you so much, it’s very helpful. Just a little confused, the workers calculate base on monthly paycheck or tax year income ? Every year renew they ask both information.
Medi-Cal eligibility is generally based on monthly income. The eligibility can be based on the annual income if requested. This would happen with people with fluctuating incomes. One month they may have $0 income, then the next might be $10,000 because of progress payments, contracts, distributions from investments, etc.
Those people with fluctuating incomes that do not want Medi-Cal, will request the county to evaluate their annual income, not the monthly dollar amounts.
@@KevinKnauss Got it. Thank you so much.
Thank you for all of your videos Kevin! Extremely helpful.
Does the FPL chart get updated annually in July?
The federal poverty levels are updated in January by the Department of Health and Human Services. The California Department of Health Care Services then distributes the updated information to the counties at the beginning of February and at the same time updates their computer system with the new dollar amounts. Covered California also receives the updates and the new numbers are loaded into the application for March enrollments.
I appreciate your UA-cam channel. Thank you for sharing. Can you please give me some information that I'm not finding anywhere and when I called Medi-Cal I'm placed on hold for over an hour. This is my situation: I'm 76 years old drawing Social Security of $1,909 per month and living in Kern County. I have no savings. My question is, what is the maximum I can make in earned income working without losing my Medi-Cal benefits? My work is sporadic. For example, I didn't have any income from September of 2023 through the remainder of the year. Thank you for your time.
If you are a single individual, the calculated income for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary is $1,275 per month. For Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary, the income must be under $1,526. That you SS is higher than these numbers and you have Medi-Cal could mean that Medi-Cal in calculating your income lower because of a number expenses such as health insurance premiums and other deduction.
@@KevinKnauss Thank you. That helps.
Like what everybody is saying This is very very helpful!!!
Hello! I hope you can answer some of my questions. I have medi-cal right now but I recently just got a second part time job and will be making around 3-4k a month after taxes. I been on medi-cal for 4 years now since the pandemic because I was in college and wasn't working much. My main job does not offer insurance but my second job offers medical insurance but I am afraid incase I leave my second job due to different reasons. If I stay on medi-cal, will I get in trouble by the government? It could be assumed I'm trying to evade having to pay extra for health care or if this is something like fraud? Do you know the consequences for not reporting or sending a lower paystub? Please advise, thanks.
You agreed to report any changes to your household situation within 10 days to Medi-Cal. An increase of income or offer employer sponsored insurance would fall within the changes. Many people have unwittingly not reported such changes and there were no adverse consequences in terms of penalties.
However, it is the right thing to do - report the income and employer offered health insurance. Even if you leave your second job, you could jump into Covered California with subsidies or, go back to Medi-Cal if your income is low enough. It can be a major hassle, reporting the changes, filling out applications, selecting health plans, etc. I wish it were easier, but they don't make it easy to get health insurance most of the time.
Hi Kevin, thank you for the details, but I have a question. I'm disabled and on SS, Social Security does not count the benefit as income. Does medical?
thanks!
Social Security Retirement and Disability income count for Covered California and Medi-Cal as both are part of the Modified Adjusted Gross Income calculation. Supplemental Security Income does not count in the MAGI.
ah, this must be why i got dumped into medi-cal. 3.3% increase. really sucks
thanks for the video
Once the higher FPLs are put in place, people need to be very careful about making any changes to the Covered California account. You need to check to make sure the income is over the higher FPL or CC flips you into Medi-Cal.
@@KevinKnauss yer, that is what happened. my income has basically been flat so i didnt think to tell CC i was making more just to stay on that plan. medi-cal is already a nightmare and i havent even started looking for care.
thank you for explaining all of this
@@naptime43x Eventually you will be placed into or offered an HMO plan (depending on your county) where you can select a primary care physician. Medi-Cal does work, you just have to understand the system and it is a slow start at first.
@@KevinKnauss it appears to be slow all around. finding a doctor within 30 minutes that is accepting new patients over 18. community health is the most difficult, they dont even have a map to view locations.
i am still not really sure how this benefit actually benefits me. free stuff? thanks, i guess?
@@naptime43x The best provider directory is with the Medi-Cal HMO plans. You need to learn what plans your county offers, then go to that website to do a provider search.
Hi Kevin,i just got a letter saying that i did not qualify for magi,but i never apllied,does that mean my regular medical is also cancelled or how does this work?im very confused.
If this is a letter from Covered California, they list programs that you did not apply for and tell notify you that you are ineligible. It should not impact your current Covered California health plan. If the letter is from Medi-Cal, CC sent them your information for some reason. Regardless, your CC plan should not change. However, I would check your CC account or call CC and verify all is good.
@@KevinKnauss thank you so much for your time and your information,very helpful.👍
Hi Kevin, when the kids are on medi-cal but the adults are on ACA, the ACA subsidy will be reduced by a fair amount since ACA will treat the family as just a household of 2 adults only. So the ACA premium will be higher for the 2 adults. Is that correct?
For the purposes of the subsidy, you are still a household of 4, but only 2 need health insurance. The importance of the household size is the applicable figure (IRS term) that determines the consumer fair share percentage. The higher the household size, the potentially lower the consumer responsibility percentage. Each family member is assigned a monthly subsidy based on the family size, income, and second lowest cost Silver plan.
Why the subsidy may decrease with family of 4 (two not applying for coverage) is subsidy necessary to bring the cost of insurance down to the consumer fair share percentage.
Does income include Social Security? My mother has a rental home. Does her rental income count as income? It doesn't matter what the limits are if you don't know what is included.
The Modified Adjusted Gross Income for Covered California includes the Adjusted Gross Income on one's federal income tax return PLUS Social Security Retirement, tax-exempt interest, and foreign earned income. I'll work on putting together a video on the topic. Thank you.
Hi Kevin, is counties medi-cal the same as normal medi-cal? For example, can the kids get Kaiser coverage through counties medi-cal?
The counties administer Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment based on Department of Healthcare Services rules. There should be no perceptible difference between the counties. Kaiser is another issue. Kaiser is not available in all counties and may be limited in other counties. You may not be able to enroll into, or keep, Kaiser coverage if you move too far away from their facilities.
Just subscribed very helpful vid! I have a question I’m on disability and have a monthly income of $1,374.70 with a total savings of $110,000 which is in a high yield savings account at 5% interest which generates me additional $458 income on top of my disability. Would this disqualify me as interest rates can fluctuate? If so is there a work around to qualify maybe by moving my money into somewhere that earns little to no interest and then apply and then move it back to the high yield savings afterwards? Or is that not recommended. Thanks!
I'm assuming you are under 65, don't have Medicare, and are on MAGI Medi-Cal. If you report the monthly interest income, you could lose Medi-Cal. However, you would be offered a health plan that would likely have a $0 monthly premium and very lost cost health care expenses. The reporting is a little bit of a grey area. If the interest is just rolled into the principal of the investment, and you don't receive a deposit into your checking account, it could be construed as an increase of assets.
We do know it is fluctuating income and Medi-Cal can view fluctuating income differently in their budget calculations. Before you changed any of your investment strategy or instruments, try and contact your Medi-Cal case worker and see how they would treat the interest income. Just talking to them doesn't mean you are reporting a change. Based on their guidance, you'll be able to better identify paths forward.
@@KevinKnauss I’m under 65, Im disabled and on Medicare and I’m looking into relocating to California (currently living in NY). Does that change anything?
If you are a single adult, the disability income plus interest technically puts you over either Qualified Medicare Beneficiary and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary income levels, assets are not considered. You would not lose Medicare, just the Extra Help that Medi-Cal may provide.
However, even though the budget worksheet calculations seem to be stricter for the Medicare Savings Program for the Medi-Cal extra help, you should still apply. Again, because the interest income fluctuates, that might be factored in. In addition, they also review your last filed tax return, which can help many people as the tax return shows other deductions reducing the income they count for eligibility.@@kylemc2189
Hi Kevin, let's say a family of 5 has income of $5,000 a month, they contribute $800 to IRA for the month. Will the medi-cal office consider $4,200 to be their monthly income and thus qualifying them for medi-cal?
Yes, they are supposed to follow the countable sources of income guidance for MAGI Medi-Cal, which is based on your estimated tax filing.
Thanks for informing us , Kevin!