EDD benefits exhausted - struggling with Medi-Cal approval while needing prescription meds

You need to apply for Medi-Cal again and specifically mark that you have NO INCOME currently. It sounds like they might still be using your past EDD income for eligibility determination. Make an appointment with a county eligibility worker (call 1-866-904-9362 for Ventura County) and bring your EDD documentation showing your benefits are exhausted. They can process emergency Medi-Cal same-day in some cases. For your immediate medication needs, don't wait until it's an emergency. There are community health centers in Oxnard that offer sliding scale fees: - Las Islas Family Medical Group (805-204-9500) - Ventura County Health Care Agency clinics They can often provide urgent appointments and help with prescription assistance programs. Most pharmaceutical companies also have patient assistance programs for their medications if you qualify financially. Don't go to the ER unless it's truly an emergency - it's expensive and they'll just refer you to follow-up care anyway.

when i got laid off i had same problem with medi-cal. they kept using my old paystubs even tho i wasnt working anymore. u gotta be SUPER clear on the application that ur income is ZERO now. also try going in person to the county office in oxnard, the online system is trash and keeps old info sometimes

Are you applying through Covered California or directly through the county? When my EDD ran out, I had to specifically go to the county office in person with my final EDD payment statement showing $0 balance. The online system kept pulling old income data for some reason. Also, for your meds - check with the manufacturer directly. Most BP meds have patient assistance programs. I was on lisinopril and got 3 months free directly from the company while waiting for my Medi-Cal to kick in.

dude the ER will cost u like $2000+ even WITH insurance. dont go there unless ur dying. try the community clinics first

I got denied for medi-cal 3 times because I was making too much on unemployment too!!! The whole system is rigged against us. I finally got approved but only after my benefits ran out completely and I had to wait another 6 WEEKS after that. The caseworker told me they look at your last 30 days of income so if you had any UI payments in the last month they count that. So stupid.

Have you tried reaching EDD to see if you qualify for a different UI extension or program? Sometimes there are extensions available that aren't automatically applied. I was in a similar situation and was going crazy trying to get through to EDD on the phone - constant busy signals and disconnections. I ended up using Claimyr.com which got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a service that basically navigates the phone system for you. There's a demo video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep told me about a training program extension I qualified for that gave me another 13 weeks of benefits while I'm in a certified training program. This gave me enough breathing room to transition to Medi-Cal properly. Worth checking if any extensions might apply to your situation.

for ur meds situation u can try the rx outreach program too, its for ppl with no insurance. my dad used it when he was between jobs https://rxoutreach.org/

To follow up on your question about documentation - bring these to your in-person Medi-Cal appointment: 1. Your ID and Social Security card 2. Your final EDD statement showing benefits exhausted 3. Your most recent bank statements (they'll want to verify assets) 4. Any termination/layoff letter from your employer 5. Your last pay stub if you have it 6. Any denial letters you've received from Medi-Cal Specifically ask for an "expedited determination" due to your medical needs. Explain the situation with your blood pressure medication clearly. The county workers have some discretion for urgent medical needs. Also, if you're still hitting roadblocks, contact the Health Consumer Alliance at 888-804-3536. They provide free assistance with Medi-Cal applications and can advocate on your behalf if you're getting incorrectly denied.

One more tip about the prescription situation - if you know the exact medication you need, use GoodRx.com to check prices without insurance. Sometimes it's surprisingly affordable (like $4-15 for generic meds) at certain pharmacies. You could potentially pay out of pocket for a month's supply while waiting for Medi-Cal approval if you can scrape together the money. Just need to find a community clinic doctor who can write the prescription first.

Just wanted to mention that in California, we have a law that pharmacies can provide emergency refills of certain medications (including many blood pressure meds) without a new prescription in urgent situations. It's usually a 3-5 day supply to bridge gaps in care. Explain your situation to the pharmacist where you last filled your prescription - they may be able to help with a small emergency supply while you get to a clinic appointment. Also, when you do get your Medi-Cal approved, remember it can be retroactive for up to 3 months from your application date, so keep all medical receipts during this period as you might get reimbursed.