Is share of cost the same as a premium?

It is a monthly spend-down idea in Medi-Cal, not a Medicare Part B premium. Ask the county how it works on this file.

Does it change IHSS hours?

Hours come from the assessment. Share of cost can change how the provider is paid. Ask the county about both.

Where is the official explanation?

The CDSS IHSS share of cost fact sheet and the county office. Spanish pages on this site use “participación en el costo.”

GlossaryMedi-Cal

Medi-Cal

What is a Medi-Cal share of cost?

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.

Some Medi-Cal cases have a monthly share of cost, an amount the person must meet before Medi-Cal pays. The county explains the figure. This site does not invent it.

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

A share of cost is a monthly amount some Medi-Cal members must meet before Medi-Cal pays for that month. It is not a copay copied from another county. For IHSS, unpaid share of cost can be deducted from the provider warrant, and the recipient then pays the provider that amount. The county explains the number that applies now.

Who decides

County Medi-Cal staff decide coverage and share of cost. CDSS publishes an IHSS share-of-cost fact sheet. This site does not calculate the amount.

What to do next

Ask the county Medi-Cal and IHSS desks about this case. Read the CDSS fact sheet. Do not copy a friend’s share of cost.

Do not guess the dollar amount

Income, deductions, and living arrangement all matter. The county has the worksheet. BenefitsCal is where many families review the case. Ask for help if you want someone to organize questions, not to invent a number.

Questions people ask

Is share of cost the same as a premium?: It is a monthly spend-down idea in Medi-Cal, not a Medicare Part B premium. Ask the county how it works on this file.
Does it change IHSS hours?: Hours come from the assessment. Share of cost can change how the provider is paid. Ask the county about both.
Where is the official explanation?: The CDSS IHSS share of cost fact sheet and the county office. Spanish pages on this site use “participación en el costo.”

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.