California offers premium assistance through the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program for your qualified beneficiaries with full-scope Medi-Cal coverage. Medi-Cal members who qualify are eligible to receive payment for the costs of their other health coverage premiums and cost-sharing obligations.

Also, if you lose your job and qualify for Medi-Cal benefits, you may be eligible to receive payment for your existing private insurance premium and cost-sharing under the HIPP program. The purpose of this program is to provide newly enrolled Medi-Cal members with the option to maintain their other health coverage for a limited time as they transition onto Medi-Cal coverage.

The California HIPP program provides premium reimbursement for an existing private insurance policy, or COBRA or Cal-COBRA continuation coverage. One would only qualify if the cost to Medi-Cal would be less than the cost that Medi-Cal would pay for care.

For more information, contact the California Department of Health Care Services.

If you have questions about how to apply for Medi-Cal benefits, you can contact your local Medi-Cal county office directly.