Medical Coverage for Low-Income Residents Expanded as More Counties Enroll

New state data shows that an additional 10 counties have expanded medical coverage to uninsured, low-income residents. Health officials at the local level have been busy preparing for changes that will be implemented under the federal health reform law in 2014 and it is hoped that enrolling new patients now will ease the transition process and ensure that qualified candidates are connected to the county system now. Once the federal health reform law is in effect in 2014, millions of more Californians will be eligible for Medi-Cal.

The Times notes that “Ten counties, including Los Angeles, began their expansion last July. Others started last month. Several of the remaining 11 counties are expected to begin the new coverage later this year.”

Currently, counties are splitting the cost with the federal government, but once 2014 rolls around then 100% of the funding will be provided by the federal government. Known as the Bridge to Reform program, 47 counties are now participating, which means that free care is provided to low-income patients at their local public clinics and hospitals.

Next month, data on all of the participating counties will be available.