A special message from our partners at
Maternal and Child Health Access
Dear Lynn --
Over one million women of childbearing age live in California and may be eligible for Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM), now called the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP). Yet only a few thousand women are enrolled and taking advantage of its important benefits. Here are 5 things you need to know about MCAP:
1.
ELIGIBILITY: Pregnant women living in California with income from $2828/month (just above Medi-Cal limits for no-cost prenatal care) to $4275/month are eligible for MCAP. You can have no other health insurance unless that other insurance has a maternity-only deductible/co-payment of more than $500. Immigration status does NOT affect your eligibility - you qualify even if you are undocumented.
2. MATERNAL AND INFANT BENEFITS: Benefits include maternity and all health care needs, except dental care. MCAP also covers the baby born to a woman on MCAP for the first year, regardless of any changes in income. After the first year, if income is still within the income range, MCAP covers a second year. The benefits are provided through Medi-Cal.
3. NEW CRITERIA: Previously, MCAP did not cover women who were over 30 weeks pregnant, but that is no longer the case.
4. AFFORDABILITY: The cost for MCAP is a little different than other programs, charging 1.5% of your income. This is a TOTAL cost that is divided up into 12 payments, or you can pay the whole thing when you apply. You get a $50 discount if you pay all up front. There are NO other charges for the prenatal care, delivery or any other services that might be needed, such as hospitalization for an emergency or seeing a doctor for an injury like a broken leg.
5. ENROLLMENT IS AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND: MCAP will be programmed into the state's enrollment computer this fall, in time for Open Enrollment, but there is no need to wait. Pregnant women can enroll all year round at www.aim.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-433-2611. Certified Enrollment Counselors can help.
If you or someone you know is pregnant and meets the eligibility criteria, tell them about the program so they can enroll and get the support they deserve today.
Sincerely,
Annie Carney
The Asegúrate Campaign
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