Federal law lets states do this with matching funds. Improve and streamline the Medi-Cal redetermination process. Welfare reform has opened new options for ensuring that families do not lose Medi-Cal right at the point they leave welfare and that they continue their health coverage for as long as they meet the eligibility tests. Families must be informed that they are still eligible for health benefits through Medi-Cal even without welfare. Unlike children enrolled in Healthy Families or children who receive health insurance through their parent's employer, families in Medi-Cal must file detailed reports every three months whether or not anything in their financial situation has changed.
Federal law allows California to provide children a year of eligibility with federal matching funds.
Ensure more timely processing and tracking of Medi-Cal applications. There are many reports of extensive delays, especially for mail-in applications, for children and pregnant women sent to EDS and then forwarded to counties. The state should implement solutions to track and process applications in a timely manner, including such ideas as the use of a bar code system to track Medi-Cal applications from EDS to the counties and within counties. Improve Medi-Cal public reporting. Public reporting about the Medi-Cal applications received, processed and other information should be improved.