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Does California Medi-Cal cover mental health?

Author

Avery Gonzales

Updated on February 14, 2026

Does California Medi-Cal cover mental health?

Services covered by Medi-Cal include outpatient mental health services such as individual or group counseling, outpatient specialty mental health services, inpatient mental health services, outpatient substance use disorder services, residential treatment services, and voluntary inpatient detoxification.

Simply so, does Medi-Cal cover behavioral therapy?

???Behavioral Health Treatment

Medi-Cal covers all medically necessary behavioral health treatment (BHT) for eligible beneficiaries under 21 years of age. This may include children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as children for whom a physician or psychologist determines it is medically necessary.

Likewise, is mental health free in California? Most county programs in California have an "access line" people can call to inquire about getting mental health services. Intake staff often have a list of local non-profits where people who don't qualify for public mental health programs can receive free or low-cost counseling or other mental health services.

Correspondingly, does Medi-Cal cover depression?

Medi-Cal. Mental health services may include treatment for anxiety, depression, or behavior health problems. Your doctor can provide you with some outpatient mental health services.

What does Medi-Cal cover for adults in California?

Medi-Cal covers most medically necessary care. This includes doctor and dentist appointments, prescription drugs, vision care, family planning, mental health care, and drug or alcohol treatment. Medi-Cal also covers transportation to these services.

Can I see a therapist with Medi-Cal?

Services covered by Medi-Cal include outpatient mental health services such as individual or group counseling, outpatient specialty mental health services, inpatient mental health services, outpatient substance use disorder services, residential treatment services, and voluntary inpatient detoxification.

Are braces covered by Medi-Cal?

Does Medi-Cal cover braces? Orthodontics are only covered for kids who qualify for this type of specialist treatment under Medi-Cal's dental services.

How many people have mental illness in California?

2018 statistics show that mental health conditions are the most common illnesses faced by residents of California. Circa 17% of the Californian population has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder of some kind. And 1 in 24 residents of the state has been diagnosed with one or more serious mental illnesses.

Why is therapy so expensive?

In order to receive a license; therapists have to go through a lot of training and years before they can actually work. Lastly, counseling is expensive because there are many bills to pay:Rent and utilities. State licensure fees, each licensure requires annual fees to be paid.

How can I get free mental help?

If you're in immediate distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255) or chat with them online. The Lifeline, which is free and confidential, can not only provide immediate support for those going through a rough time but they can also make referrals to mental health services near you.

What does Medi-Cal pay therapists?

Rates can range from $56 per session to $140. In California, the average therapist is paid $80-$85 per session.

Which insurance company covers mental health?

Compare Providers
Best Mental Health Insurance
Insurance providerWhy we picked itMonthly Premiums
United HealthcareBest Overall$500
KaiserBest for Customer Service$400
CignaBest for Telehealth$300

Can I have Medi-Cal and private insurance?

If you have private health insurance, you can still qualify for Medi-Cal. Members who already have insurance can add Medi-Cal coverage to their existing plan. Your provider will first bill your private insurance, and then Medi-Cal will pay for any additional services it covers.

What type of insurance is Medi-Cal?

Medicaid program

How do I cancel my Medi-Cal?

If you need to cancel your Medi-Cal coverage, call your local county office. Once you are released from Medi-Cal, call 1-877-752-4737 option 3 to be enrolled in a Covered California plan.

How can I get mental health help without insurance?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness operates a toll free helpline for people who need to get mental health help with no insurance. You can reach NAMI online at Nami.org or by phone at 1-800-950-6264. You can also text “NAMI” to 741741 on a smartphone.

Does insurance pay for mental hospital?

Generally, a Hospital policy will provide coverage for in-hospital psychiatric treatment or drug and alcohol rehabilitation, while an Extras policy usually pays for counselling and therapy received outside of the hospital.

Does Blue Shield cover mental health?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S., providing coverage for one in three Americans -- including mental health, behavioral health, and therapy services.

Does medical cover online therapy?

Almost all states are currently allowing Medicaid enrollees to access online therapy. You can call the number on your Medicaid card for more information, or contact your state's Medicaid office. Online platforms and providers will generally state whether they take Medicare or Medicaid.

Who licensed mental health facilities in California?

The Mental Health Licensing (MHL) Section of DHCS is responsible for the licensing and oversight of mental health programs on a statewide basis, ranging from acute to long-term programs.

How can I get mental health help in California?

California 211 – 2-1-1 is a free referral and information helpline that connects people to a wide range of health and human services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact 2-1-1 in any state, including California, simply dial the numbers 2-1-1 from any phone.

How much does therapy cost?

Average Cost of Therapy

Therapy generally ranges from $65 per hour to $250 or more. In most areas of the country, a person can expect to pay $100-$200 per session.

How do you qualify for DMH services?

DMH services are provided to adults with a serious mental illness and children and youth with serious emotional disturbance. Service authorization criteria can be found under Regulation 104 CMR 29.

How do I get a mental health diagnosis?

For common problems such as depression and anxiety, your GP may be able to give you a diagnosis after one or two appointments. For less common problems you'll need to be referred to a mental health specialist (such as a psychiatrist), and they may want to see you over a longer period of time before making a diagnosis.

What constitutes a mental breakdown?

A nervous breakdown (also called a mental breakdown) is a term that describes a period of extreme mental or emotional stress. The stress is so great that the person is unable to perform normal day-to-day activities.

How much does California spend on mental health services?

Additionally, we looked at the percentage of the population served by mental health agencies in each state. Looking at the total amount of state mental health expenditures in each state, California has the highest amount with $6,762,808,997 dedicated to mental health spending.

How much money can you have in the bank and still qualify for Medi-Cal?

You may have up to $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 in assets as a couple. Some of your personal assets are not considered when determining whether you qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. For example, assets that do not count are: Your primary home.

Do I have to pay back Medi-Cal?

The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal members. Repayment only applies to benefits received by these members on or after their 55th birthday and who own assets at the time of death. If a deceased member owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

What is the Medi-Cal income limit?

Your household income must not exceed more than 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) based on your household size. For example, if you live alone, your income cannot be more than $16,395 a year. If you live with a spouse or another adult, your combined income cannot be more than $22,108 a year.

Does Medi-Cal check your bank account?

While Medicaid agencies do not have independent access to a Medicaid recipient's financial statements, Medicaid does an annual update to make sure a Medicaid recipient still meets the financial eligibility requirements. Furthermore, a Medicaid agency can ask for bank statements at any time, not just on an annual basis.

Will I lose my Medi-Cal if I get married?

Unfortunately, when it comes to Medi-Cal, there is no such thing as “separate property.” Medi-Cal will count all of a spouse's separate assets when determining a married applicant's Medi-Cal eligibility. To qualify for Medi-Cal, an applicant's total married assets cannot exceed $119,220.

What happens if you don't report income to Medi-Cal?

It carries a potential county jail sentence of one (1) year if charged as a misdemeanor, and a potential county jail sentence of sixteen (16) months, two (2) years or three (3) years if charged as a felony.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal 2021?

The single adult monthly income eligibility for the expanded Medi-Cal enrollment through Covered California rose to $1,482 for 2021, up from $1,468 in 2020.

Is Medi-Cal the same as Covered California?

Medi-Cal offers low-cost or free health coverage to eligible Californian residents with limited income. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace where Californians can shop for health plans and access financial assistance if they qualify for it.

How does Medi-Cal verify income?

No. This program uses Social Security's countable income calculation to determine your income. Additionally, the WDP Program does not count unearned income from private or public disability benefits (such as SDI, SSI, SSDI, STD, LTD ) when determining your countable income.

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