Medi-Cal and Medicare are both government health insurance programs, but they serve different groups and have different rules. 

Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid and is for low-income individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. It’s funded by the state and federal government and usually comes with no monthly premium and very low or no copayments. 

Medicare is a federally funded program for people aged 65 and older, or for those under 65 with certain disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS. Medicare has different parts: Part A covers hospital care, Part B covers doctor visits, Part D covers prescriptions, and Part C (Medicare Advantage) combines those benefits through private plans. 

While Medicare typically requires monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, Medi-Cal is based on income and often covers a wider range of services like dental and long-term care. Some individuals qualify for both programs—called “dual eligible”—and Medi-Cal can help pay for Medicare costs. 

Oftentimes, you can keep your current doctors. If your providers (including doctors, hospitals, therapists, pharmacies, and other health care providers) work with CenCal CareConnect and have a contract with us, you can keep going to them.

No. You don’t pay deductibles in CenCal CareConnect.

There is no cost sharing for medical services in CenCal CareConnect. Your annual out-of-pocket costs will be $0.