Medi-Cal coverage until 21 years for foster
youth
All foster youth are eligible for Medi-Cal. Youth have the right to receive needed medical and dental care while in foster care and after they emancipate (see All County Information Notice No. I-117-00 accessible from the Home Page). Through the Extended Medi-Cal Program for Emancipated Foster Youth, young people whose dependency terminated at 18 or later can continue to receive Medi-Cal until their 21st birthday. It is important to take care of yourself and stay healthy, and there are services that can help you do that. If you are going to emancipate from foster care or you have already emancipated from foster care, contact your Independent Living Coordinator or your social worker to sign-up for the Extended Medi-Cal Program for Emancipated Foster Youth.
Medi-Cal Hot-Line
If you already have Medi-Cal and have questions about bills for medical care or pharmacy costs, you can contact the Medi-Cal Hotline at 916-636-1980. (You must have a current Medi-Cal card when you call this number.)
Office of the Ombudsman, Medi-Cal Managed Care Office
Staff at this office can help resolve problems with Medi-Cal coverage. They can be reached at 1-800-430-4263 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or at the Medi-Cal Ombudsman website under "Resource & Information". This same site also has a link to Foster Care/Managed Care Resource Guide with important information on finding health care and related resources for foster children, especially those children who have been placed outside their county of responsibility.
Teenage Health Resource Line
The Teenage Health Resource Line is a toll-free number where nurses answer confidential health questions. The hours are noon to 8 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. The number is 1-888-711-TEEN (711-8336).
Public Health Nurses
The Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care was created to improve healthcare for foster children and youth. In this program, county public health nurses work with children's social workers to coordinate services needed by foster youth to resolve physical, mental, dental and developmental problems. For more information, go to the Public Health Nurse website.
Mental Health Services
If you are under 21 years of age and experiencing serious or severe emotional problems, there are mental health services available. They are called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services and include Therapeutic Behavioral Services for certain stressful transitions. The services need to part of your overall plan of care.
Ombudsman for Medi-Cal Mental Health Services
The office of the Ombudsman for Medi-Cal Mental Health Services was created to help caregivers, youth and others find their way through the mental health system. Staff in this office can provide information, explain rights and choices, help solve problems, assist in communication, request information, and make referrals to others. This office can be reached during weekdays at 1-800-896-4042 or for TTY at 1-800-896-2512. You can also send an email to: Ombudsmn@dmhhq.state.ca.us.
If you need help with a health
related issue, or want more information about keeping your
Medi-Cal until 21, call the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman
at
1-877-846-1602
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