The process for verifying your Medi-Cal eligibility, from the time your completed application is received to when you receive your Benefits Identification Card (BIC), normally takes 45 days. The general process for verification is as follows:

1. Apply – complete the application, and submit it either in person, by mail, by phone, or online
2. Receive a Notification of Likely Eligibility by mail
3. Your county's social services office may contact you by mail or by phone to request paper verification of income, citizenship, and other criteria that cannot be verified electronically
4. Receive a Final Notice of Action notifying you of whether or not you can receive Medi-Cal
5. Receive your BIC – when you receive your BIC in the mail, you are able to use the many Medi-Cal benefits available to you.

Some dental and vision services are covered under Medi-Cal.

For more information, contact Denti-Cal via (800) 322-6384, by visiting their website or the Medi-Cal Dental Provider Directory.

Vision: Contact your insurance company under Medi-Cal (ex: Molina, Kaiser, Community Health Group)

The process might be completed in as little as 30 days but can sometimes take longer. Counties sometimes have different processes, so ICTs work more smoothly between some counties than others. You will continue to receive benefits either way.

Ideally, you will want to call your county’s Medi-Cal/Health and Human Services department at least 10 days before you move to San Diego. A list of Medi-Cal county offices can be found here.

F-1 and J-1 international students are required to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by JCB Insurance Solutions in order to statsify the California State University insurance requirement.

Visit the International Student Center website for more detailed information.

However, yes. In general, anyone can apply for Medi-Cal. A person on an H-1 visa is a temporary worker or trainee. Anyone living and working in California and can provide evidence of that, they can meet California residency.

Yes, you may qualify for benefits regardless of your citizenship status.

For more information about qualifying for Medi-Cal or Covered California, please visit Department of Healthcare Services website.

The California State University (CSU) does not require domestic undergraduate students to have healthcare insurance. However, international students, and American Language Institute (ALI) students are all required to have health insurance, and have it approved through their respective programs.

Also, the new laws implemented in 2010 by the Affordable Care Act require all U.S. citizens and legal residents to have healthcare insurance. 

The Health & Wellness Fee provides funding for the delivery of health and wellness services to students. This fee is included in tuition, and cannot be waived or reimbursed.

Departments funded by the Health & Wellness Fee are Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Well-being & Health Promotion and Student Ability Success Center.

Within these departments, the fee provides funding for staff and faculty positions that include medical providers, counselors, therapists and health educators. It also provides funding for programming efforts that include support for health promotion and mental health outreach. It also provides funding for the departments to work collaboratively to provide comprehensive and holistic well-being offerings to students.

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. The law requires that U.S. citizens and legal residents have health insurance.

Having access to Student Health Services is not the same as having health insurance. If you would like more information regarding the ACA and how it affects you, or you would like to know how to obtain healthcare insurance,  make an appointment with the Health Literacy and Outreach Coordinator. 

Undergraduate: No, there is not an SDSU Health insurance offered for domestic undergraduate students.

However, you can submit a request via our website to have someone assist you in obtaining health insurance/Medi-Cal. After submitting your request, our enrollment specialists will reach out to you via phone or email within 2 to 3 buisness days.

Graduate Students: Please refer to the Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP) site for information on health insurance related requirements and coverage options available for SDSU Graduate Students.

International Students (F1 & J1) and American Language Institute (ALI) Students: Please contact the International Student Center or the American Language Institute for more information. There is an international health plan, but it needs to be purchased in conjunction with enrollment as an international student. 

We have enrollment specialists who can assist students in obtaining Covered California health insurance or Medi-Cal. Submit a request to speak with one of our campus partners.

If you move to a new county to attend college, your Medi-Cal plan will cover emergency room and urgent care visits in your new county. Emergency services and urgent care services are available to all Medi-Cal enrollees statewide, regardless of the county of residence.

Routine and prevenative care are only covered in your county of residence. If you would like to continue receiving these types of benefits in San Diego County and are enrolled in Medi-Cal, you can contact the county where your policy is active and report that you are temporarily moving to attend college. You will need to provide your address in the new county.

Our Health Literacy and Outreach Coordinator is here to assist you with any additional questions you have. Please contact our offices at [email protected] or call 619-594-4133.