“Three years ago, I was in a car accident. I couldn’t afford the expensive hospital and rehab care. Thanks to Medi-Cal, I didn’t have to pay much at all, and Medi-Cal covered everything. I am incredibly grateful that this coverage exists.”
Overview
- Community Partner: California Alliance of YMCAs
- Location: Virtual Session
- Date: February 6, 2024
- Population: General Medi-Cal Membership
Things We Heard
- Challenges with limited dental benefits and services
- The opportunity to have their voices heard by DHCS
- Operational barriers to accessing Medi-Cal benefits
- Acceptance of Medi-Cal coverage by providers
Population of Focus
Medi-Cal members represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of California’s population. As of July 2023, the approximate racial/ethnic distribution of the Medi-Cal population consisted of the following racial/ethnic groups: Hispanic (50.7 percent), White (16.4 percent), Not Reported (16.2), Asian (9.3 percent), Black or African American (6.9 percent), and American Indian or Alaskan Native (0.4 percent).
Distribution of Medi-Cal Certified Eligibles by Aid Category (July 2023)
| Category | Certified Eligibles | Percent |
|---|
| Parent/Caretaker Relative & Child | 5,930,230 | 38.1% |
|---|
| ACA Expansion Adult (Ages 19-64) | 5,346,644 | 34.3% |
|---|
| SPD | 2,237,440 | 14.4% |
|---|
| Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | 1,291,193 | 8.3% |
|---|
| Other | 556,450 | 3.6% |
|---|
| Adoption/Foster Care | 172,280 | 1.1% |
|---|
| Long-Term Care (LTC) | 41,706 | 0.3% |
|---|
“The California State Alliance of YMCAs partnered with DHCS on the Health Equity Roadmap initiative because it’s important to hear from Medi-Cal members who have been historically marginalized. Through our YMCAs, we strive to create opportunities through health equity within our service areas, and we hope that Medi-Cal will continue to partner with organizations like ours to create a more accessible, equitable health experience for all Californians.” - Kris Lev-Twombly, CEO of the California State Alliance of YMCAs
