The California Department of Health Care Services will mail you a Benefits Identification Card (BIC) if you have been approved for Medi-Cal health insurance. If some time has passed and you have not received your BIC in the mail, or a letter from DHCS requesting more information, you can check your Medi-Cal status by contacting your local Social Services office. You can also apply to Medi-Cal and check your status on the Covered California website.
Visit the Agency In Person
Social Services agencies throughout California have different names in different counties. For example, in Los Angeles County, it is called the Department of Public Social Services_,_ while Humboldt County calls it the Department of Social Services. DHCS provides a list of locations on its website. The listings are alphabetized from "A-L," "M-R" and "S-Z." Click on the link that has the first letter of your county's name. For example, if you live in Sacramento County, click on the "County Listings: S-Z" link.
On the next page, scan the list for your county agency. The street address will be listed underneath the county agency's name. Keep in mind that larger counties often have multiple locations. To check, click on the county website link underneath the address. For example, if you click on the county link for the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, you will see a list of eight additional offices on the department's homepage.
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Call Medi-Cal Directly
You can also check on your Medi-Cal status by calling the Medi-Cal hotline at (800) 541-5555. If you're outside of California, call (916) 636-1980. Since you don't have your BIC yet, you can get information on your Medi-Cal status by entering the last four digits of your Social Security number and month and year of birth (Ex. 06/1985) into the automated system.
You can also call your local county office. You will find this number underneath its address in DHCS's online office listings. Some county agencies have both local and toll-free numbers. For example, the San Francisco Human Services Agency can be reached at either (415) 557-5000.
Send an Inquiry by Mail
Another option is to check your Medi-Cal status by sending a written inquiry to: Medi-Cal Eligibility Division, P.O. Box 997417, MS 4607, Sacramento, CA 95899-7417.
In the letter, explain that you have applied for Medi-Cal and would like information on the status of your application. Include your name, address, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, and date you submitted the application (if known).
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