The California Department of Health Services' Medical Care Services directly operates California's Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) and the program's eligibility, scope of benefits, reimbursement, and other related components. More than 6.5 million people are Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Medi-Cal has been providing health care services to Californians since 1965. Medi-Cal serves a dual role in providing health care for individuals while also providing funding for California's health care system. Medi-Cal is: the nation's largest Medicaid program, serving in excess of 6.5 million people, and the second largest in terms of dollars spent (approximately $34 billion); the source of health coverage for: one in six Californians under age 65; one in four of the state's children; and the majority of people living with AIDS; paying for: 42% of all births in the state; two-thirds of all nursing home days; and two-thirds of all revenue in California's public hospitals; and bringing in nearly $19 billion in federal funds to California's health care providers. Two delivery systems serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The fee-for-service system operate sin all 58 counties, serves 50% of beneficiaries and accounts for 77% of expenditures for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The managed care system operates in 22 counties, serves 50% of beneficiaries, and accounts for 23% of expenditures. Knowledge Source's Medi-Cal Market Overview, 175 pages in length, provides the information and analysis you need to gain an understanding of California's Medicaid health care program. The Market Overview also includes brief profiles of nearly 20 Medi-Cal managed care providers. |