California, the first state in the nation to expand MediCal to low-income adults over 50, regardless of immigration status.
Undocumented immigrants over the age of 50 who fall below certain income thresholds will be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage, California's version of Medicaid, the federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to low-income individuals, according to California Health Line.
This population, regardless of age, represents the 401(t)(s) of the approximately 3.2 million uninsured residents of the state. Official estimates place the number of newly eligible individuals at 235,000. Those who register will join the more than 220,000 undocumented immigrants aged 25 and younger already enrolled in Medi-Cal.
If Governor Gavin Newsom achieves his goal, which seems entirely possible given the state's optimistic financial outlook, California could allow all remaining low-income undocumented immigrants—approximately 700,000 people—to join Medi-Cal by 2024 or earlier.
Currently, according to the law, all undocumented immigrants who meet the financial criteria can obtain limited Medi-Cal coverage, which includes emergency and pregnancy services, and in some cases, long-term care.
But when they enroll in full Medi-Cal, they get comprehensive coverage that includes primary care, prescription drugs, mental health care, dental and vision care, eyeglasses, and more.
Those wishing to register for the program should take into account the following documentation:
– Social Security number, if you have one
-A California state ID
-Federal tax information. If you don't file taxes, you may still qualify for free or low-cost insurance through Medical.
-One or two pay stubs or proof of unemployment service
-Immigration documents for non-citizens, such as an A-number, USCIS number, or arrival/departure document number. Undocumented family members are not eligible for Covered California coverage, but may qualify for other programs.
-Information about the employer and income of all members of your family.
“This is a crucial moment to integrate all these elderly undocumented immigrants into the healthcare system,” says Arturo Vargas Bustamante, a professor of health policy and management at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. If their chronic conditions are left unattended, he says, they will simply end up in the emergency room, making their treatment more expensive. Professor Vargas has described this measure as “a responsible way to invest.”.
Undocumented immigrants play a significant role in the workforce, paying approximately $3.2 billion in state and local taxes annually in California and $11.7 billion nationally. The meaning of immigration has changed; it's no longer just about temporary jobs followed by a return to their country of origin. This population is settling down and building families in the United States.
The program aims to reach all potential beneficiaries; therefore, it is preparing to address and manage the various requirements that may arise.
The Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, is working with county officials, consumer advocates, and the state health insurance marketplace, Covered California, to reach eligible immigrants. It has published frequently asked questions in several languages. And the agency has a “senior citizen expansion” page on its website, available in English and Spanish. All of this is to ensure that people feel confident enrolling and can access the benefit without any lack of understanding.
However, even as advocates and health officials spread the word about the new eligibility rules, they remain vigilant for potential distrust from immigrants who remember the Trump administration's public charge rule, which reignited fears that applying for public benefits could jeopardize their immigration status or even lead to deportation. With the election just around the corner, many fear those days are not over.
However, the National Immigration Law Center points out that a public charge is defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as an individual who is likely to become dependent on the government for their subsistence, receiving public cash assistance, and is unable to support themselves. Nevertheless, immigrant advocates have reiterated that Medi-Cal does not qualify as a public charge.
Finally, the Department of Health Care Services and several organizations are handling the issue and are available to explain the new Medi-Cal benefits for older immigrants, including how to complete the immigration process, which will be available year-round, and how to choose a health plan and provider.
News report based on information from: EFE, Conexión Migrante and La Opinión.