Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. It provides free and low-cost medical programs to qualifying individuals, including addiction treatment services.
Those who qualify for this program include low-income individuals, pregnant women, and other groups in need of financial support for health insurance.
There are over 12 million Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal, which is about one in three California residents.
Learn more about using Medicaid for addiction treatment
About California Medicaid Plans
Your Medi-Cal plan will vary depending on the county.
Nearly all Medi-Cal plans are managed care plans, which means a person enrolled in Medicaid will have a primary physician that they’ll see for all health needs.
If a specialist is needed, your primary physician must refer you to that person.
Some counties only offer one plan, so all residents of that county will be enrolled in that option. Others have multiple options so you can choose which plan is best for you.
Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System
The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) provides substance abuse treatment services based on the standards of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria.
This is separate from the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. While the standard program covers a limited set of services, the DMC-ODS offers a wider range of services.
A few of the health plans offered in different counties include:
- Anthem Blue Cross
- California Health & Wellness
- Partnership Health Plan of California
- Health Net Community Solutions, Inc.
There are also special plans offered for certain Medicaid enrollees.
What Addiction Treatment Services Are Covered By Medicaid In California?
A person who qualifies for Medi-Cal can obtain a range of behavioral health and addiction services. The services you can obtain depend on the health plan you choose.
The following treatment services may be included in your health plan:
- screenings
- counseling
- opioid addiction programs
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- residential treatment
- outpatient treatment
- intervention
- rehabilitation center recovery services
- intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- recovery services
- withdrawal management (detoxification)
- narcotic treatment programs including the use of buprenorphine, disulfiram, and naloxone
Read more about California detox centers
Top 5 Rehab Centers In California That Accept Medicaid
There are several drug abuse rehab centers in California that take Medicaid, and five were chosen for this list.
The rehab centers in this list were selected for:
- accreditation
- use of evidence-based methods
- Google ratings
- other selection criteria
1. ABC Recovery Center, Indio, California
This addiction treatment facility offers individualized care with a range of treatment services for those recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction.
Some of the top qualities of the recovery center include:
- accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- a 4.6-star Google rating
Here, a person can participate in one of the following programs:
- detox
- residential treatment
- day treatment
- IOP
- sober living
- other substance abuse treatment programs
Location and contact information:
44374 Palm St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 342-6616
2. Pacific Grove Hospital, Riverside, California
Inpatient and outpatient mental health services and addiction treatment services are available in two locations in Riverside, California.
The hospital is supported by:
- partnership with the Jason Foundation
- Joint Commission accreditation
- positive client testimonials
Location and contact information:
5900 Brockton Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506
(866) 556-4331
3. Southern California Psychology Centers, Multiple Locations
Counseling services are available in San Diego and Escondido, California.
Treatment services are covered by Aetna Better Health, Healthnet/MHN, and Molina Marketplace, and Medi-Cal plans.
The psychology center has trusted qualities such as:
- verification from Psychology Today
- a 3.8-star Google rating
A few of the services offered here include:
- Suboxone treatment
- testing and assessment
- treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD)
Location and contact information:
8775 Aero Dr.
Suite 238
San Diego, CA 92123
(619) 930-9524
4. Safe Refuge, Long Beach, California
Safe Refuge provides government-funded programs for the homeless, veterans, parolees, HIV/AIDS patients, single parents with children, and those with co-occurring disorders.
Trusted features of Safe Refuge include:
- CARF accreditation
- a 4.4-star Google rating
The treatment facility offers residential treatment, outpatient services, day treatment, group counseling, and more.
Location and contact information:
1041 East Redondo Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 987-5722
5. Tarzana Treatment Center, Multiple Locations
This treatment center accepts Medicaid and is LegitScript-certified and Joint Commission-accredited.
Addiction treatment services available here include:
- MAT
- outpatient
- detox
- recovery support
- residential treatment
Treatment can be found in Lancaster, Long Beach, Northridge, Palmdale, Tarzana, and Woodland Hills.
Location and contact information:
6022 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 296-0755
Factors That Affect California Medicaid Coverage For Addiction Treatment
When using Medi-Cal to cover drug and alcohol treatment, it’s important to consider several factors that can affect coverage.
Copays
You may be required to cover a copayment for treatment. However, most services have a $0 copay, so the program may be completely free.
Waitlists
Addiction treatment providers often have extensive waitlists. Depending on the location and the program, you may need to wait weeks or months to get into a Medicaid-accepting program.
Free and low-cost programs like Medicaid rehab centers are usually in higher demand, so the wait to get treatment is often longer.
Who Is Eligible For California Medicaid?
You need to fall under at least one of the qualifying groups for Medicaid coverage in the state of California.
The following people may qualify for California Medicaid:
- pregnant women
- those responsible for a child 21 years of age or younger
- those who are blind
- those with a disability or a family member in their household with a disability
- those over 65 years of age or older
- California Medicaid Income Limits
Medi-Cal bases a person’s Medicaid eligibility on a household income that ranges from 0% to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
Income limitations are different for each qualifying group.
Here are the maximum yearly incomes for adults who are 100% of the FPL:
- one-person household: $12,760
- one-person household: $17,240
- one-person household: $21,720
- one-person household: $26,200
- one-person household: $30,680
- one-person household: $35,160
- one-person household: $39,640
- one-person household: $44,120
For each additional person, add $4,480.
How To Use Your California Medicaid Plan For Drug Rehab
Drug Medi-Cal is the funding source for addiction treatment under California Medicaid.
To use Drug Medi-Cal to cover substance abuse treatment programs, you must choose a treatment program that’s Drug Medi-Cal certified.
Once you’ve enrolled in California Medicaid and found a treatment center that’s Drug Medi-Cal certified, you can begin treatment at any time.
California Medicaid Insurance Coverage For Drug And Alcohol Rehab FAQs
Find answers to a few of the most common questions about using Medi-Cal to cover drug and alcohol rehab in California.
What Is The Average Cost Of Medicaid Drug Rehab In California?
With Medicaid, the average cost of drug rehab is $0. Some people may need to cover a copay, but many programs will be fully covered.
What’s The Difference Between California Medicaid Rehab Centers And Private Rehab Centers?
There are a few differences between private and Medicaid drug rehab programs.
Some of the differences include:
- private drug rehab costs more
- Medicaid drug rehabs tend to have fewer amenities and specialty programs
- Medicaid drug rehab will usually have longer waitlists
- drug rehab covered by Medicaid may be shorter in duration
Find Medicaid Rehab Centers In California
To find help for yourself for a loved one, call our helpline. Our trained resource specialists can connect you with rehab centers that take California Medicaid.
Find free California rehab centers near you
Whether you’re looking for short-term treatment or longer residential stays for addiction treatment, there are options under Medi-Cal. Call us today to get started.
Article Sources- Anthem Blue Cross—Member Handbook
https://mss.anthem.com/california-medicaid/caca_mc_memberhandbook_eng.pdf - California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)—Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Drug-Medi-Cal-Organized-Delivery-System.aspx - California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)—Drug Medi-Cal Overview
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/adp/Pages/default.aspx - California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)—STATE OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAID (MEDI-CAL) PROGRAM COVERED BENEFITS FOR DUAL ELIGIBLE (MEDICARE AND MEDICAID) BENEFICIARIES
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Documents/SNP%20Comparison%20Chart%2008_10.pdf - California Health Care Foundation—Medi-Cal Moves Addiction Treatment into the Mainstream: Early Lessons from the DrugMedi-Cal Organized Delivery System Pilots
https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MediCalMovesAddictionTreatmentToMainstream.pdf - Health for California—Covered California Income Limits
https://www.healthforcalifornia.com/covered-california/income-limits