Medi-Cal
Lower income individuals who qualify for Medi-Cal have some terrific options in many areas of California. Medi-Cal has ceased covering dental, vision, podiatry and other needed services as of July, 2009. Some or all of these benefits can be restored with a plan specifically designed for people with Medicare and Medi-Cal.
These plans are known as Special Needs Plans for People with Limited Incomes, called SNP's for short. These plans have no monthly premium, no copay for most medical services, include dental and vision benefits. Many will also furnish transportation and some will even provide over the counter (OTC) items at no cost.
To qualify, you need either full Medi-Cal or share of cost. Because you need to choose a primary care physician it is important that your doctor is in the network.
The other issue is with the recent costs to Medi-Cal finding a physician is much more difficult that in the past. Moving into a SNP can help provide you with the quality care that is becoming harder to find.