Health Coverage for Pregnant Women - Social Services Agency (DEP)

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Health Coverage for Pregnant Women

The Income Disregard Program is a special Medi-Cal program that provides no-cost prenatal and postnatal care to pregnant women. The income limits for free Medi-Cal under this program are higher than those for other Medi-Cal programs. There is NO property limit. Pregnant woman are also eligible for non-pregnancy related medical care as long as other Medi-Cal requirements are met.

The eligibility information listed below will give you an idea of whether you may be eligible to receive Medi-Cal coverage under the Income Disregard Program. However, eligibility for Medi-Cal can only be fully evaluated by an Eligibility Worker (EW) at one of the Social Services Agency Intake Offices. If and when you decide to apply, your EW will explain in further detail what requirements specifically apply to your situation.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Pregnant women applying for the Income Disregard Program must meet the following requirements:

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Only pregnant women with a share of cost are potentially eligible.

Note: A share of cost is similar to a monthly deductible. It is the amount for medical expenses that a Medi-Cal beneficiary must pay or be obligated to pay before Medi-Cal will cover any medical expenses.

•

The net nonexempt family income must be under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). (See Income Limits Chart below)

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Eligibility can begin no earlier than the first day of the month the pregnancy is reported.

Income Disregard Program – Income Limits Chart
(Effective 4/1/09 to 3/31/10)

Number of Persons	200% of Federal Poverty Level
2 (Pregnant woman & the unborn)	$2,429
3	3,082
4	3,675
5	4,299
6	4,922
7	5,545
8	6,169
9	6,792
10	7,415
For each additional person add:	624

Applying for the Medi-Cal Income Disregard Program

Pregnant women who would like to apply for Medi-Cal health insurance for pregnant women may:

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Apply in person by visiting one of the Social Services Agency Intake Offices and filling out an application, or

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Call an Intake Office and ask for a mail-in Medi-Cal application.

You may also call one of the intake offices and ask to speak with the Information Supervisor. The Information Supervisor will answer any questions you may have about Medi-Cal.

Documents You Will Need to Bring When You Apply

Your Eligibility Worker (EW) will tell you exactly what documents you will need to provide as proof of identity, income, residence, and so on. The following list contains examples of some of the most common items you may need to provide so that your EW can see if you are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.

	Proof of Identity
	•	California Driver’s License or ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
	•	Passport
	Proof of Pregnancy
	•	Verification of pregnancy that includes the expected date of birth
	Proof of Social Security Number
	•	Social Security Card
	•	Proof of application for Social Security Card
	Proof of Immigration Status
	•	Permanent Resident Card/Green Card/Alien Registration Card
	Proof of Income
	•	Pay stub
	•	Employer’s documents
	•	Other papers that provide proof of monthly income (i.e., Social Security Award Letter, Unemployment check stub, and/or Disability check stub)
	Proof of California Residency
	•	Housing bill/receipt
	•	Utility bill
Access for Infants and Mothers Program
The Access for Infants and Mothers Program (AIM)is a health insurance program administered by the State of California. AIM is not a Medi-Cal program. AIM provides full coverage private health insurance at low cost to pregnant women during pregnancy as well as 60 days postnatal care. To be eligible for AIM, the family’s income must be between 200% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level amount as determined by the family size. There is no property limit. If you want more information about this program, you may call your local Social Services Agency Intake Offices and ask to speak with the Information Supervisor. The Information Supervisor will answer any questions you may have about this program.