If someone has Medi-Cal, are they already in IHSS?

No. IHSS needs its own application, Health Care Certification, and in-home assessment.

Is Medi-Cal the same as Medicare?

No. Medicare is federal health insurance, usually for people 65 or older or with certain disabilities. Medi-Cal is California Medicaid. Some people have both.

BenefitsCal or the county Medi-Cal office. DHCS also publishes how to apply.

GlossaryPrograms

Programs

What is Medi-Cal?

Updated September 16, 2026. Reviewed September 16, 2026 against public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and CareScout 2025 California tables. County wages, hours, and wait times still change. Official .gov pages decide.

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. IHSS sits on a Medi-Cal eligibility determination. DHCS and the county decide coverage and any share of cost.

Based on public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and California Department of Insurance pages retrieved 2026-09-16. County, Medi-Cal, Medicare, VA, and insurer staff decide what actually pays. Hourly rates, hour totals, waiver slots, and wait times are local and change.

Short answer

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, administered by the Department of Health Care Services. It can cover doctor visits, hospital care, and some long-term services. IHSS is built on a Medi-Cal eligibility determination. Some cases have a monthly share of cost. The county explains those figures.

Who decides

County Medi-Cal staff and DHCS decide coverage and share of cost. This site does not enroll anyone in Medi-Cal.

What to do next

Apply or review a case on BenefitsCal or at the county office. Then open the IHSS path if the person lives at home and needs personal care.

Why Medi-Cal comes before IHSS

Without a Medi-Cal determination, IHSS does not stand. Start or check the case on BenefitsCal. If there is a share of cost, ask the county how it interacts with provider payments.

Other Medi-Cal home options

DHCS also publishes home and community-based options, including PACE, MSSP, CBAS, and the Assisted Living Waiver. Each has its own door.

Questions people ask

If someone has Medi-Cal, are they already in IHSS?: No. IHSS needs its own application, Health Care Certification, and in-home assessment.
Is Medi-Cal the same as Medicare?: No. Medicare is federal health insurance, usually for people 65 or older or with certain disabilities. Medi-Cal is California Medicaid. Some people have both.
Where do we apply?: BenefitsCal or the county Medi-Cal office. DHCS also publishes how to apply.

Official sources for this page

Official program pages: CDSS: In-Home Supportive Services, CDSS: IHSS for children, County IHSS offices, CDSS: IHSS providers, CDSS: county IHSS wage rates, CDSS: provider orientation, CDSS: Electronic Visit Verification, CDSS: Electronic Services Portal, DHCS: Medi-Cal, Apply for Medi-Cal, BenefitsCal, CDSS: hearing requests, CDSS: forms catalog, CDSS: IHSS overtime and workweek, DDS: regional centers.